Pearl engagement rings

Pearl engagement rings are relatively uncommon today. This has not been true in the past when the pearl set in a wedding ring was very popular. This was true throughout history up until the 19th century, when diamonds were discovered in great abundance in South Africa (Kimberly mines).

There is an abundance of choice within the pearl variety. The most popular is the round pearl. In the past, these pearls you would find in jewelry were mostly natural. Today they are practically nonexistent, and about the only choice available would be that of cultured pearls. These are pearls that are grown the same way as natural pearls but the seed that is planted in the mollusk is intentionally implanted by pearl farmers. This began in earnest in the 9th c. Pearl engagement rings today would be commonly set with akoya, or tahitian pearl which consist of a variety of dark colors.

Pearls used in wedding rings should only be of the very finest quality which consists of size nacre thickness, shape, roundness, orient, luster, and a blemish free surface. Typically, the pearls would be half drilled and glued into a precious metal base.

The appearance of a single pearl engagement or wedding ring can be enhanced with other small gemstones, and most commonly these gemstones are diamonds.

Disadvantages of a Pearl engagement rings are that when worn constantly it can be prone to damage and not expected to last a lifetime. Pearls take more abuse when worn on the hand, rather then when they are worn in a strand, or singularly around the neck or in earrings.

However, pearl engagement rings can be replaced relatively inexpensively as compared to diamond engagement rings.

'In a Christian New Testament parable, Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a "pearl of great price" in Matthew 13: 45-46. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

The language of symbolism was in common use around the time of Jesus Christ; most people were familiar with the symbolic meanings. The circle is a symbol of God because it has no beginning and no end. The circle or pearl was considered to represent Love, Knowledge (the combination of equal amounts of Love and Knowledge is a symbol of Wisdom, the 2 circles intertwined (owl eyes) is symbolic of Wisdom. Some other pearls are Truth, and Faith.' ref.wikipedia:pearl.

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