Roman Pearls

A Pearl Mania seized Rome during the first century BCE. Pearls achieved enormous prestige and value.
Pearls were sewn into furniture, like couches, and into clothing, like ladies gowns. Various Roman authors commented on this obsession with Pearls.

Caligula, after promoting his horse to become a Consul, awarded it a Pearl necklace.
Caligula also wore slippers made with Pearls.

Pliny the Elder wrote in his Natural History, published in 77 CE, that the Pearl was the most valuable commodity, prized above all others.

He wrote the same thing and stated that the most valuable pearls came from the Persian Gulf.

Suetonius described the Roman General Vitellius, who briefly became the Roman Emperor, as pawning one of his mother’s earrings to finance his travel expenses to reach his Posting in Germany.

Pliny the Elder recounted a story that Queen Cleopatra VII had a bet with Mark Anthony that she could throw a dinner party that would cost 60,000,000 Sestercii.
The following evening she served an ordinary first course, and was ridiculed by Mark Anthony.
For the second course, a glass of vinegar was placed before him, much to his amusement.
Cleopatra then removed one of her fabulous Pearl Earrings, crushed it and poured it into the vinegar. Once it had dissolved, she drank it, winning the Bet. He declined to drink the other Earring. Together, Pliny comments that the two Pearl Earrings were worth 60 million Sestercii.