'File 17/16 Fish Industry in Muscat (Dr. Bertram's Visit to Muscat)' [‎100r] (199/212)

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Apperdix II (Cont'd)
3. Sincerity of price observed on fine pearls.
The prices result from the free play of the law oT supply
and demand. This is not the case with all other gems,
particularly with the diamond, in which powerful English
financial organizations are limiting production, regulating
the distribution and consequently fixing the prices arbitra-
rily, a procedure which is a real danger. The purchase of fine
pearls offers more security as an investment than the purchase
of diamonds.
4. Gradual disappearance of Japanese pearls, called
'cultured* from the market.
Their prices have gene up more than tern times in the last
two years and will continue to rise. Th<= prohibition against
importing them will probably last long after the war.
In short, it has been seen, all the technical reasons ire
In favour of an increase in the price of pearls. The consump
tion has a tendency to increase because of a need to use up
surplus money. Favourable publicity would easily encourage
an important acceleration of the movement. A cursory
examination of the question will show that the impetus is easy
to give and the publicity is easy to make.
Commercial Aspect
- n the present situation where the use of precious metals
is reg lated if not practically forbidden to the Jeweller and
where skilled 1 about has pretentions which render the manufactui
of mounted jewels very difficult and burdensome, it is of in
estimable advantage to be able to utilise pearls which are
sufficient in themselves. A pearl necklace is a thing of
beauty in itself. It has no need of a mounting or setting
of any kind. It can readily be enlarged or modified which is
of advantage to the jeweller.
And finally, publicity for the pearl is easy and of Infinite
variety. Pearls have bee, known since the earliest days. In
India they have been considered sacred; the Hindus venerate
them as attributes of divinity. Women feel that they are
nrotected by pearls from an evil fate. Mythology dedidates
the pearl to Venus. The pari has at all times been the
preferred gem of the great people of the world from the
Pharaohs, the Chinese Emperore, the Rajahs, to the Greeks
and Romans. It has remained so with modern rulers. The Queen
of England, members of royal families and all the great ladies
of English and American society are never without their neck
laces which they wear in one, two or even triple strands. It
is supreme in jewelry and without her pearls a woman of quality
is never completely dressed.
It is the only jewel which can be worn as well during the
day or night, on a dress, a blouse or on the satin of the skin.
Contrary to other jewelry whichoften does not domplement
certain costumes or gives the appearance of a display of riches
in bad taste, the pearl necklace, a pearl at the lobe of the ear
or on the finger, always adds to the natural distinction of thos
who wear them..A woman who has a pearl necklace of natural, fine
pearls is proud of it. She never feels completely dresse<jl, nor
completely at her esthetic best without her necklace of pearls.
A woman is never perfectly beautiful wit out it.