gems, pearls,

Throughout history, pearls have been treasured for their beauty wherever they've been found -- from China to the Persian Gulf to Mexico and beyond. Before the creation of cultured pearls, natural pearls were incredibly rare, considered symbols of wealth and power reserved for the elite. With the pearl culturing revolution, pearls became widely available, and they remain an iconic fashion staple for celebrities, athletes, royalty and everyone in between. This lavishly illustrated guide -- which features hundreds of photos, maps and diagrams — covers everything from identifying, culturing and evaluating these gems to the captivating stories of some of the world's most sought-after pearls.