THE HISTORY OF THE PEARL 37 



The Ceylon fishery is the best known and produces a 

 large amount of pearls. This fishery has been deserted 

 many times for the reason that the oysters were said to 

 have been gathered from the beds, but after a few years 

 the work of fishing for the oysters would begin again and 

 it is probable that pearls will come from Ceylon as long 

 as there is a demand for the gems. 



The noted French jeweler Tavernier should be men- 

 tioned. He was born in Paris in 1605 and was the son 

 of a Flemish engraver. At the age of fifteen he accom- 

 panied some French noblemen in a visit to eastern lands. 

 Later he traveled through all the important countries and 

 always went as dealer in pearls and other gems. On one 

 occasion he returned from the Arabian Sea with $500,- 

 ooo.oo worth of pearls. This event is said to have been 

 the -cause of the great popularity of pearls in France. He 

 also sold some very valuable pearls to the Shah of 

 Persia, and to other great rulers. 



A recent ruler of India, the Rajah of Dholpur, pos- 

 sessed a collection of pearls valued at $7,500,000.00. 

 Many of the important historical facts concerning the 

 pearl are included in this chapter, but in closing, it is well 

 to observe that the>pearl has exerted a great influence in 

 extending boundary lines and in the advancement of civi- 

 lization. 



In the conquests of Alexander the Great, Macedonia 

 gained a large area and increased its treasures. It is said 

 that the treasures, among which the pearl was promi- 

 nent, had something to do with the great conquests. We 

 should also observe that Alexander the Great taught Eu- 



