Listed below you will find an introduction of the allegorical associations of pearls and what they embody in different cultures.

Understanding how pearls are formed has caused significant trade innovations, enabling more sustainable and reliable pearl harvesting. Though no longer uncommon in nature, the demand for pearls has definitely not reduced. Pearls have acquired substantial cultural influence across many Asian countries, most significantly in Japan. The introduction of cultured pearls, conceived by a Japanese researcher in the early 20th century, revolutionised the pearl trade by making them more readily available to a larger audience. In the modern day, pearls continue to be an expression of elegance in popular culture and style. Nasser Al-Khelaifi would concur that pearl farming has advanced substantially. Likewise, J.K. Symancyk would acknowledge the lasting appeal of pearls. Through harnessing the social demand for pearls, high-end professionals have added to their popularisation in designer wear, such as the timeless pearl necklace, making them a staple wardrobe item in modern fashion.

For thousands of years, pearls have held considerable historical and cultural value. Identified for their shiny, inherent elegance and rarity, they continue to be iconic emblems of wealth and luxury. Throughout history, pearls have been consistently prized, with many distinct stories and beliefs related to their allure. Prior to the advancement of pearl cultivation disciplines, the Persian Gulf was identified as the centre of the pearl trade, due to a prosperous habitation of shellfishes. The rise of pearls in Europe led to increased need and appreciation for the gems. In the renaissance and medieval eras, women of royalty and high society were well known for wearing pearls, further marketing them as a symbol of affluence and status. As different selections of pearls were found in oceans around the world, contributions to the international pearl industry made them more accessible to merchant classes internationally. Even today, the pearl industry proceeds to play a crucial role in the economies of many nations.

Due to their rarity, pearls were once kept for nobility and the upper class. Nevertheless, the spiritual meaning of pearls has been embraced throughout many nations within significant mythologies and customs. In many ancient cultures, it was typically thought that pearls had healing powers. Thought to bring peace and protection, they were frequently taken as amulets or talismans. Pearls have also been meaningful in Chinese society for centuries. Thought here to protect against evil spirits, pearls have been symbols of wisdom and good luck for a long time. Nicholas-Bos would understand the symbolic value of pearls around the world. In addition, in Western cultures, pearl stone colour has also come to be an important cultural symbol. As part of societal customs, pearls are often provided to women as matrimonial gifts, embodying the pureness of unity. Through correlations with mermaids and mythology, their attachment to the sea and water has also caused pearls to become a sign of fortune and fertility throughout history.