The Allure of Pearls

On view in a case in the Winston Gallery are 12 extraordinary pearls that represent the breadth in color, shape, size, and luster of these natural gems:

• the Hope Pearl, previously owned by Lord Henry Philip Hope, who gave his name to the Hope Diamond
• La Peregrina, one of the largest pearls in the world, found in the 16th century off the coast of Panama and currently owned by Elizabeth Taylor
• the Drexel Pearl, a large natural grey pearl from Polynesia in a Cartier setting from 1905
• Black Beauty, an eggplant-colored natural black pearl from South America
• the Pearl of Kuwait, a natural drop pearl from the Persian Gulf
• the Queen Mary Brooch featuring two large natural pink conch pearls in a 100-year-old setting
• South Sea Drops, two rare natural South Sea pearls
• the Survival Pearl, reputed to be the world's largest pink snail pearl, a fresh water pearl found in the United States
• the Pearl of Asia, reputed to be the largest natural pearl in the world and once owned by Shah Jahan (builder of the Taj Mahal)
• the Paspaley Pearl, one of the largest cultured pearls in the world, on public display for the first time