Back in 1498, Columbus reported natives in the Caribbean wearing pearls. Pearls were so abundant that the natives did not attach much value to them. The Chinese used pearls for medicinal purposes. Doctors ground up pearls for patients to swallow to treat madness, epilepsy, or melancholia. Pearls were also thought to have anti-aging and aphrodisiac properties!
Cleopatra once famously bet Marc Anthony that she could spend a fortune on a single meal. When he disagreed, she asked for a small glass of vinegar to be placed in front of her. She then dropped one of her huge pearl earrings (worth fortune) in the glass, dissolving the pearl, and drank it, winning the bet! |
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