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THE FASHION OF PEARLS
only
by old countries and persons " to the manor born." It is in the
treasure-houses of the princes of the Orient and among the jewels of
great and noble families that one must look for the pearls gathered
during the centuries. Except in Italy and Arabia, where all classes
prize them, the pearl is not a jewel of the people, but of the gentry
and the very rich who come in conÂtact with them.
It
is essentially a jewel for the wealthy. Unostentatious, exquisite, it
is insufficient for those who have no other jewels and unfit for common
wear. Of a nature too delicate for rough usage, it must be well cared
for and properly housed. Even then the hand of time bears heavily upon
it for it is susceptible to many influences which do not affect other
gems. Comparatively soft, the lustrous skin is injured by rough and
careless contact with other jewels. The gold of the setting, in time,
cuts into "the surface where it binds, or if it is pierced and strung,
the rings of nacre about the orifices gradually peel away. Hot water
injures it; gases discolor it. As the cheek of beauty grows dim with
age, so gradually the brilliancy of
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