Before Kokichi Mikimoto perfected whole pearl culturing in the 1920s, natural saltwater pearls harvested by free-divers in the Persian Gulf were the ultimate symbol of imperial wealth.

1. Gemological Evaluation of Natural Pearls

• Nacre Concentric Growth: Natural pearls form organically around an irritant with concentric nacre rings extending through 100% of their mass, verified by gemological laboratories via X-ray computed microtomography.
• The 'Orient' Phenomenon: An iridescent rainbow shimmer caused by the interference and diffraction of light bouncing off overlapping microscopic aragonite platelets.
• The Baroda Pearls: A magnificent seven-strand natural pearl necklace commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda, auctioned at Christie's for a record $7.1 million.