During the Ming dynasty (1386-1644 A.D.), government decree went so far as to impose the death penalty on any unauthorized person caught dealing in pearls.
李所長說。宋朝蘇東坡頗瞭解此現象，因而有「人有病乃成文，蚌有病乃成珠」的詩句傳世。天然珍珠要靠運氣才能碰上，人們對珍珠的喜愛又與日俱增，聰明的人類因而想到利用異物入侵使蚌生珠的原理，發明瞭養珠技術。