Pearl Education
About Pearls
PEARLS ARE THE ONLY NATURAL STONES THAT CANNOT BE CUT OR SHAPED
About Pearls
PEARLS ARE THE ONLY NATURAL STONES THAT CANNOT BE CUT OR SHAPED
For thousands of years, pearls have been prized across cultures for their rarity and natural beauty. In Bahrain, they hold particular significance, shaped by the sea and a history deeply tied to pearling.
While early legends sought to explain their origin, recent scientific studies reveal a more profound truth. Pearls are formed when the mollusk suffers an injury or when the oyster is struck on its outer shell, prompting it to secrete a pearly white substance that envelops the source of irritation, transforming it into a precious gem.
Composed of calcium carbonate, water and organic matter, each natural pearl is created over time, resulting in a gem defined by individuality, resilience, and nature’s precision.
About Pearls
PEARLS ARE VALUED BASED ON THESE MAIN FACTORS
About Pearls
PEARLS ARE VALUED BASED ON THESE MAIN FACTORS
Color
Did you know that Bahrain’s waters produced 12 different colors of pearls?
Shape
Did you know that rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is?
Luster
Did you know that the more layers of nacre a pearl has, the more it radiates with brilliance?
Shade
Did you know that a single pearl can have more than one shade or color?
Weight
Did you know pearls are measured mainly in a unit system known as chaw?
Need
Did you know that the value of a pearl is sometimes determined by the jewelers need for a specific shape, color, luster, shade, or weight?
Pearl Types
Jiwan
This is the supreme quality of the all pearls. Probably coming from the english G1 or Grade One, this superior high-consistency pearl can come in circular shapes, hemispherical shapes called “Baten” or teardrop shapes called “Sujni.”
Pearl Types
Golwah
Aesthetically the second level of excellence, which is very close in shape to “Jiwan” but not as consistent. It is said that the name is derived from the Persian word rose or flower.
Pearl Types
BAROQUE (BADLA)
Badla, or “Muta’aj” are pearls with irregular shapes.
Pearl Types
SMALL PEARLS (Na’em)
Pearls characterized by their small size but known for being round.
Pearl Types
DISCARDED/REJECTED (KHASHRA)
Pearls which lack sparkle or form and are often not suitable for any use.
Pearl Types
BLISTER PEARLS (FUSOOS)
Pearls conjoined to the shell, classified depending on the size and the possibility of extraction.
Pearling LAWS in Bahrain
ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, NATURAL PEARLS ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 2% OF THE WORLD’S PEARL SUPPLY
Pearling LAWS in Bahrain
ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, NATURAL PEARLS ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 2% OF THE WORLD’S PEARL SUPPLY
In 1933, a landmark decree was issued in Bahrain that officially banned the trade, sale and possession of cultured pearls, specifically imported from Japan.
This document, signed by then ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was more than policy. It was a declaration of cultural and economic preservation. Bahrain’s pearl diving industry was a cornerstone of its identity and livelihood. Allowing artificial or cultured pearls to infiltrate the market threatened not only its economy but centuries of tradition and artisanal knowledge.
The decree explicitly prohibited:
- Importing, selling or possessing cultured pearls in Bahrain
- Selling natural pearls that had been mixed with cultured ones
- Claiming cultured pearls were natural or of equal value
Violations were met with strict legal consequences. This regulation demonstrated Bahrain’s unwavering commitment to protecting the purity and prestige of its natural pearl trade.
At MATTAR, this legacy continues to guide us. We work exclusively with newly sourced natural Bahraini pearls, preserving the authenticity and rarity that define our heritage.
Pearling LAWS in Bahrain
HISTORY OF PEARLING
Bahrain’s history is inseparable from the story of the natural pearl. From the civilizations of Dilmun and Tylos to modern Bahrain, pearling shaped the island’s economy, culture, and global connections. Until the discovery of oil in the 1930s, pearls were Bahrain’s primary export, linking the island to markets across the world.
Bahrain's unique waterscape, where freshwater springs meet shallow seabeds provide ideal conditions for exceptional pearls. Revered for their quality, to this day, our pearls have adorned the crowns of kings and queens, traveled across borders and been cherished by those who appreciate their natural beauty.
Pearling LAWS in Bahrain
PEARLING CULTURE IN BAHRAIN
Pearling LAWS in Bahrain
PEARLING CULTURE IN BAHRAIN
Certain neighborhoods in Manama have been linked to the pearling trade. Areas such as Al Makhargah were associated with pearl drilling and refers to those who practice drilling pearls, known as Kharg.
Additionally many Bahraini family names reflect professions within the industry, including Al Dalal for pearl dealers and Al Shakak for pearl stringers. Craftsmen involved in shipbuilding and pearling related trades similarly adopted names rooted in their work.
Pearling is deeply woven into Bahrain’s cultural identity. Its influence extends beyond trade and geography into personal names of women. Dana refers to a highly prized, perfectly formed pearl, while names such as Lulwa and Juwan draw directly from the language of pearls, reflecting their enduring significance within Bahraini society.