The spherical gems were so precious much that in the first century BC, Julius Caesar had to pass a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling classes.
Amaparele abhekwa njengabaluleke kakhulu kangangokuba uJulius Caesar, ngekhulu lokuqala BC, wadlulisa umthetho ovimbela ukugqokwa kwamapharele kuphela ezigabeni ezibusayo zezwe.