Qatar brings rare pearl exhibit to Brazil

The Pearls exhibition, which will be held from July 20 to September 28 in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, will bring for the first time to Brazil over 200 rare pieces of jewelry made with natural pearls of Qatar and Gulf region.
The exhibition, part of the activities of the Qatar-Brazil Year of Culture, will be hosted at the Brazilian Art Museum and will show how pearls were used through the centuries both in the Occident as well as the Orient as symbols of status and wealth, how they are seen by different cultures and also diverse designs of jewelry with pearls.
"It is a large collection of all kinds of pearls from Qatar and neighboring countries. It is the best there is in pearls and you cannot see it in other parts of the world," HE Qatar's Ambassador to Brazil Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Hayki said.
Qatar's economy in the 17th and 18th century was heavily reliant on pearl trade, a situation that lasted until early 20th century, he said. "At the start of the 1960's, collectors started to seek these pearls, which had been sold to Indian traders," he said.
The exhibit is divided in two parts; the first approaches natural history of pearls and the trade in the Gulf, Europe and Asia, since ancient times, while the second will tap into the role pearls had in jewelry and how designs changed throughout the history, also showing the works of contemporary designers.
Among the highlights of the exhibition are several pieces of jewelry made with Gulf pearls by important designers, such as Cartier; actress Elisabeth Taylor's natural pearls earrings, designed by Bvlgary; and ten European monarchies' crowns, including one which once belonged to princess Diana, from the United Kingdom.