A strand of cultured pearls

Pearls have long been associated with love, marriage, and beauty, across many different cultures. An ancient Hindu legend attributes the discovery of the very first pearl to Lord Krishna, who then offered it to his daughter Pandaia as a wedding gift.

In ancient China, pearls were offered to idols and religious statues, and then were restricted to be worn only by the powerful and mighty. Similarly, in the late Middle Ages, many European countries passed "Pearl laws" that restricted the wearing or pearls to only those who ranked highest in society. Aristocratic ladies would often wear their pearls day and night, believing that doing so would give them better dreams and would ensure continued prosperity. Festive occasions such as coronation banquets, victory celebrations, and of course weddings, were also a very popular time to show off one's pearls.

Perhaps most notably, at the famous Landshut Wedding of 1475 held in Bavaria, Germany, the spectacular display of pearls and pearl jewelry literally made history. The Landshut Wedding saw Hedwig, princess of Poland and Daughter of King Casimir III, marry "George the Rich", the son of the Duke of Landshut. Ten thousand people are said to have attended the grand affair, and in addition to the bride and groom, the courts of both the Princess and the Duke presented such a lavish display of pearls that it was spoken of for centuries. Today, this historic wedding is commemorated at a festival in Landshut, Germany held every four years, with thousands dressing in medieval costumes (and donning pearls!) to recreate the event and life in the late middle ages.

A strand of cultured pearls is elegant but functional. It goes as well with a business suit as it does with a cocktail dress or casual blouse. Cultured white pearl necklace is an essential part of every woman's wardrobe. A young girl's first "real" piece of jewelry could be a pair of pearl earrings. She will wear them on dates, to graduation, and on job interviews. On her wedding day, these pearl earrings could be the "something old" that she wears as she walks down the aisle. Your mother or grandmother probably has a strand of Akoya cultured pearls that she received as a gift years ago. A matching pearl bracelet, pearl ring, or pearl brooch will show her how much you love and cherish her.

You do not have to be an expert on pearls to select and purchase them. With a little preparation, shopping for cultured pearl jewelry can be easy. It is recommended to buy from a jeweler that you trust. Ask friends, relatives, and co-workers who their favorite jewelers are.

Once you have one or more fine jewelers in mind, you can start learning about cultured pearls. By knowing to what to look for, you can ask informed questions and make a wise selection.MORE:pearl necklace jewelry