And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates mad e of single pearl, and the great street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. Rev21:22

The history of the pearl is shrouded in the mists of mythology. In 79 AD Pliny the Elder; in his natural History, describes pearls as being among the most highly prized gems of the ancient Romans.

The Pearly Gates are the portals of Heaven and the afterworld-God’s front door, if you like.

In the New Testament, St Mathew described the act of presenting something of great value to someone incapable of appreciating it as “casting pearls before swine”. An invaluable insight is a “pearl of wisdom” while anything of exceptional value can simply be referred to as a “pearl”.

Even the oyster itself is revered as the “mother-of-pearl,” evoking images of the Madonna and child.

Before the cultured pearl, finding a single pearl could set up a diver for life. Although we have now tamed the oyster, the value of the pearl is undiminished. It remains the most valuable fruit of the bounteous oceans.