New Pearl Museum opens in RAK

New Pearl Museum opens in RAK

 

         There are two stories about precious pearl; first she is Bent Al Matar daughter of the rain, conceived when the oyster shell captured a single sweet drop of precipitation before mixing it with the salty sea. The other claims she is Bent Al Qamar, daughter of the moon, born during a full moon after the oyster swam to the water's surface and captured single dew from the silvery ray. Everything from the legends surrounding the pearl, its history as a treasure sought by merchants and monarchs across the world, its impact on the local culture and economy, and where it stands today in the modern world, can be found inside the new RAK Pearls Museum. This, historically known before as Julfar, was the capital of pearl trading and this is evident from old documents by European travelers and sailors. However, the museum's second floor is lined with displays of the world's famous pearls, and instruction on how to distinguish natural and cultured pearls. There are small, 10mm, white-and-beige Akoya pearls, and larger, black-lipped pearls (reaching 16mm).  Another type is the 11th-century Chinese technique. Last but not least is RAK's 12mm "Miracle of Arabia" pearl.