A pearl-drop earring worn by Charles I to his execution in 1649.

A pair of drop pearl earrings owned by Elizabeth Taylor

A necklace of cultured pearls given to Marilyn Monroe by Joe DiMaggio in 1954.

Necklace Natural pearls set in coloured gold, probably England circa 1850 Photo: Victoria & Albert Museum

A group of magnificent tiaras worn by European nobility, including the Rosebery Tiara, a Victorian headpiece set with 13 natural pearls of uncommon size that belonged to one of Britain’s wealthiest woman, and is now owned by the Qatar Museum Authority.

Pearls of all sizes, shapes and colors will soon sparkle at a show opening in London.

Considered the queens of gems, pearls have fascinated people for centuries, with values into the multiple millions – for example, the Pearl of Lao Tzu, also known as the Pearl of Allah which, despite an uneven shape and dull surface, is valued at $3.5 million due to its enormous size. Would you believe 9.45 inches in diameter and weighing over 14 pounds?

Pearls are the world’s oldest gems and across millennia and cultures associated with wealth, royalty, elegance and glamour. That they’re the only gems produced by a living animal and need no cutting or polishing explains their uniqueness and near-universal appeal.

Cross pendant Gold with rubies and natural pearls, Germany 1500-25      Photo: Victoria & Albert Museum

Their increasing value is the effect of another fact: because of the near exhaustion of natural pearl resources, particularly in the Middle East – supplier of some of the most desired and valuable among them – their number is finite.

Natural pearls of size and quality are highly sought after by collectors from all regions of the world, and their appearance at auctions is always a major event in the jewelry world.

Pearls is also the title of an opulent exhibit  at London’s V&A Museum starting in September and that will display some of the world’s most famous pearls and an unprecedented array of pearly jewelry.

Along with the centuries-old jewelry and more modern magnificent displays belonging to royalty, movie stars and other rich and famous, Pearls will feature pearl-drenched robes worn by Far Eastern rulers and stunning creations showcasing work of famous jewelers Bulgari, Cartier, Chaumet, René Lalique and Tiffany – including  a 1930s Cartier necklace strung with five rows of natural pearls.

The exhibition will explore the history of pearls from the time of the Roman Empire,  when an entire military campaign could be financed by the sale of just one pearl earring, to present day.