The pearl was listed as one of the precious stones of the Imperial Court in government records dating from the fifth century B.C .. Pearls were often a part of the treasure which was buried with the bodies of wealthy people.
珍珠之所以受到珍愛，除因光澤晶瑩、渾圓美麗外，主要因為它得之不易，只能從活的蚌蛤中採集。而蚌蛤含珠的機率，又僅有千萬分之一。