Since the wedding season is upon us, I thought I would expand a bit about the connection between brides and pearls, or why it is that so many brides all over the world and in most cultures wear pearls on their wedding day.
light cluster necklace - sterling silver and pearl
Of course, like most other customs, the origin of this one is in mythology.
The Greeks associated Aphrodite the goddess of love with pearls, in that pearls were created when Aphrodite climbed out of the sea on to Cyprus, the drops of water that fell from her body turned into pearls and everywhere she stepped turned green.
Cluster Bracelet - pearl and sterling silver
Another no less romantic myth claims that pearls are Aphrodite’s tears of happiness , and brides wear them on their wedding day to protect themselves from tears and sadness on what is supposed to be one of the most joyous occasions of their lives.
According to Arabic mythology, the pearl was created when moonlight, filled dew drop falling into the sea. (This is not quite on topic as far as brides and love go, but non the less, it is probably one of the most romantic and beautiful of all descriptions.)
14 karat gold stamped coin ring, with pearl set in 22 karat gold.
(More from the Stamped Coin Collection)
Last, but not really least, the most bizzar of all the myths:
Rumor has it that Cleopatra found her way into Mark Antony’s heart by betting him that she could make the most expensive meal in the world .
On the date which the meal was to be served, she set the table with two empty plates, and two glasses of wine. In one of them, she melted a pearl from an earring (who’s value nowadays would be something in the ballpark of 4-5 million Dollars) and immediately drank it.
Mark Antony was completely shocked by this, and contrary to what I would expect his reaction to be, he immediately fell head over heals in love with her. The other pearl from this very expensive pair of earrings was cut in two and sent to decorate Venus’s statue in Rome.
What ever rocks your boat, right? 