Pearl pride: UAE's national treasure is the 'Queen of Gems and Gem of Queens'

Synonymous with luxury, romance, power and purity, the pearl is a gem that has represented women throughout history. While ruby may be the Leader of Gems, and diamonds the King, pearl is the Queen of Gems, and the Gem of Queens.

It is the perfect term for its role as the most feminine gemstone of all, its history inextricably linked with some of the most famous women in the world.

Pearls immediately make me think of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Margaret – all icons of glamour, and not only romantic celebrities, but also powerful leading ladies. These were women who knew what they wanted, and in their fashion choices that was pearls.

A tiny pearl that tells a much bigger story about our ancestors 8,000 years ago

Only the pearl can be equally a special occasion and an everyday piece, an expression of timeless elegance that represents both glamour and simplicity. Pearls can be worn anywhere, suitable for a picnic or going to a ball.

Whereas other gems have seen their reputations fluctuate down the ages, the pearl’s reign has been almost uninterrupted. This peerless reputation is well earned. The magic of the pearl does not just derive from its distinctive appearance but from its unique journey. The pearl is by definition a different beast, as it also comes from a different place.

They were probably the earliest precious gems to come into human hands. Pearls have been recovered from grave sites along the coast of the Gulf, spanning the modern UAE and Oman, that date back to the sixth millennium BC.

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has partnered with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to revive the heritage and traditions of the emirate’s pearl industry. Silvia Razgova / The National

The Abu Dhabi Pearls project, first established in 2007, involves farming high-quality pearls using modern and sustainable practices.

The project's goal is to cultivate 80,000 oysters, producing 20,000 high-quality and sustainable pearls annually in the emirate’s waters. AFP

The project includes partnerships with educational institutions, along with a technical component to create jewellery designs using cultured pearls.

The project provides a source of income for young Emirati entrepreneurs.

In the 19th century, pearl diving accounted for as much as 95 per cent of the region's income.

Al Jalboot boats were traditionally used for pearl diving. Mona Al-Marzooqi / The National

Pearls have been in human circulation for so long simply because of where and how we find them: not underground but underwater, the product not of vast geological events that date back hundreds of millions of years, but a biological process that happens in less than a decade in the miniature context of a mollusc’s humble shell.

The pearl is not even a gemstone at all, but an organic gem material – what some in the trade now refer to as a biogenic gem, one created by a living organism.

That the pearl comes from oceans and rivers explains why it has such a long history – it was discovered by our prehistoric predecessors as soon as they started fishing for food. But it was not formed quite as the ancients believed.

The traditional explanation is that some kind of foreign body, like a grain of sand, enters the shell and becomes lodged in the fleshy outer mantle, causing the host creature to secrete protective layers of nacre, or mother-of-pearl, around the invading irritant.

This theory has been challenged by marine biologists who suggest instead that the gem is a reaction to damage to the mollusc’s mantle, to which it responds by creating a pearl sac, containing cells that secrete the ingredients of nacre as it heals.

Diana, Princess of Wales wore a necklace with a single white pearl at the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco in 1982. Getty

Catherine, now Princess of Wales, wearing a four-strand pearl necklace at the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021. AFP

Former British prime ministers Theresa May and John Major, with Patricia Janet Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, arrive ahead of the proclamation of King Charles III. Both May and Scotland wore pearls for the ceremony. AFP

For the funeral service of the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII on June 3, 1972 at Windsor Chapel, Queen Elizabeth II (left) is seen wearing pearls, as is the Duchess of Windsor and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Getty Images

Queen Victoria mourned the death of her husband Prince Albert for almost 40 years, until her death in 1901. She established the tradition of wearing pearls as a sign of mourning. Getty Images

In pearl earrings, Camilla, Queen Consort, greets members of the crowd along the Mall, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 10, 2022. AFP

Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears pearl earrings as she and other Royals view the flowers left in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. AFP

Either case helps to explain the distinctive visual qualities of the pearl: the glow that appears to emanate from within, and the rich rainbow colours that seem to bounce off its surface.

The thicker the layers of nacre, generally the more intense the lustre. Like any other gem, the qualities of its colour and shape are determined by the conditions in which it grew.

Pearl-producing molluscs span a variety of species, birthing gems across a wide spectrum of colours, including rare and valuable black pearls (also incorporating shades of grey, green and silver) made by the black-lip pearl oyster, native to the South Pacific, and gems with hues ranging from champagne to bronze, formed inside the golden-lip pearl oyster, found in Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. Shape varies according to the shell in which it forms.

The widespread demand for pearls is rooted in their long-standing symbolic associations with majesty and virtue in particular.

In the Quran, pearls hang from the trees in the paradise to which righteous believers are admitted and where they are handed bracelets of gold and pearl. The Book of Revelation describes the gates to the kingdom of heaven as ‘twelve pearls’. While in the Rigveda, Krishna is described as retrieving the first pearl from the ocean and presenting it to his daughter on her wedding day.

Pearls are a timeless classic but the ways of wearing them have also been continually reinvented by devotees such as the singer Rihanna, above at a film premiere in London in 2009. Photo: Fred Duval / FilmMagic

It is a timeless classic that has also been the subject of many subtle reinventions – different ways to wear it, new ways to produce it, associations that have evolved as well as endured.

It is the embodiment of the democratisation of jewellery, women’s liberation in gem form. Historically an elite symbol, it has become the gem that every woman can buy, whether from a historic estate for $35 million or a department store for $35.

Yet for all this change in 7,000 years, really nothing has changed about why we wear pearls. They are still the miracle of nature that emerges fully formed, with a shape, life and lustre that seems heaven-sent. A gem you want to wear all the time, to touch and feel – to hold and never let go.

This is an edited extract from ‘Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time’, by Helen Molesworth (Doubleday, £30), which is available in hardback now.

MEFCC information

Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.

The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

- Don’t do it more than once in three days

- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

- Manage your sleep

- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate

Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

Meydan card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Match info

Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')

Southampton 0

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

While you're here

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Quick facts on cancer

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
At least one third of common cancers are preventable
Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion

On Women's Day

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Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

Top financial tips for graduates

Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:

1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.

2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.

3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.

4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.

UAE currency

CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20QUALIFIER%2C%20ZIMBABWE%20

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%20%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMonday%2C%20June%2019%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESri%20Lanka%20v%20UAE%2C%20Queen%E2%80%99s%20Sports%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20June%2021%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOman%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFriday%2C%20June%2023%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EScotland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETuesday%2C%20June%2027%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIreland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Sole survivors

Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet

Final round

25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)

23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)

21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)

20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)

19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

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Honeymoonish

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

MEYDAN RESULTS

6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).

7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m

Winner Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar

10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Sui Dhaaga: Made in India

Director: Sharat Katariya

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav

3.5/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

More from Neighbourhood Watch:

Wooded greenery and community feel keeps residents loyal to The Gardens

A taste of tradition at RAK's old souq

Mushrif is a small town with big designs

Sugary teas and iced coffees

The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.

For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.