They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but to some, the harsh sparkle of a diamond pales in comparison to the soft gleam of a lustrous string of pearls. For thousands of years, man has been drawn to this mysterious and enigmatic gift from the sea. Upon it, friendships have been forged, bonds broken, and deals sealed.

From centuries past and for many to come, the pearl has and will always be revered as the most extraordinary gem borne of nature. In the early days, pearl farmers in the Philippines used to buy oysters from Badjau pearl divers, then inseminate them with some form of irritant, which in turn would create the pearl.

The environment is the key factor in having a successful pearl farm. The water must be clean and free of any pollutants, making the farms virtual sanctuaries for marine life. I saw many species of marine at the pearl farms, some that I had never seen in other dive sites throughout the Philippines.