The legend of La Peregrina.
Most brides are warned before their wedding not to wear pearls, as they are considered bad luck charms and will bring misfortune in marriage. However, some jewels have a worse reputation than others.
Today we'll talk about the story of a pearl that has been considered cursed due to the number of marriages it has ruined. It is known as "The Pilgrim" because it doesn't stay in one place for long.
The peculiarities of this precious piece go beyond the anecdotes that made it famous, but also due to its physical characteristics, as it is currently the third largest pearl in the world. Likewise, its pear shape is one of the most symmetrical on record, but let's not dwell on its appearance any further and delve into its peculiar legend.
Its story begins in the 16th century, on a beach in Panama, where it is said to have been found by a slave, who decided to hand it over in exchange for his freedom. Upon receiving the treasure, the authorities immediately sent it to King Philip II of Spain.
Once she was in the monarch's hands, the chain of misfortunes began. The first to suffer marital unhappiness would be Mary I of England, also known as Bloody Mary, the second wife of Philip II. Although their marriage ended after Mary's death, the sovereign never spent time with his wife, as he found her unattractive and maintained the relationship for political gain.
After Mary's death, the jewel returned to the king, who gave it as a wedding gift on more than one occasion, with the same outcome time and again. La Peregrina remained a treasure of the Spanish Crown for a couple of centuries, until Napoleon Bonaparte appointed his brother Joseph as the new king of Spain.
By the mid-19th century, the pearl would change hands once more, this time purchased by an English Duke named James Hamilton. However, the jewel would not bring misfortune to its new owners or their descendants, but this time, it would be nearly lost on more than one occasion, in apparent accidents.
After four generations of dukes, the pearl would be sold to a jewelry store, where it would fall into the hands of Elizabeth Taylor, who had already been divorced four times before obtaining the jewel.
The Pilgrim's last known whereabouts were at an auction house, where her journey around the world fades into history, leaving the question of whether her "curse" continues.
This is just one of the many stories that exist about objects that can bring bad luck to a marriage. We cannot guarantee that the curse exists, but we can guarantee that if love is true, no curse can separate it.
Today we'll talk about the story of a pearl that has been considered cursed due to the number of marriages it has ruined. It is known as "The Pilgrim" because it doesn't stay in one place for long.
The peculiarities of this precious piece go beyond the anecdotes that made it famous, but also due to its physical characteristics, as it is currently the third largest pearl in the world. Likewise, its pear shape is one of the most symmetrical on record, but let's not dwell on its appearance any further and delve into its peculiar legend.
Its story begins in the 16th century, on a beach in Panama, where it is said to have been found by a slave, who decided to hand it over in exchange for his freedom. Upon receiving the treasure, the authorities immediately sent it to King Philip II of Spain.
Once she was in the monarch's hands, the chain of misfortunes began. The first to suffer marital unhappiness would be Mary I of England, also known as Bloody Mary, the second wife of Philip II. Although their marriage ended after Mary's death, the sovereign never spent time with his wife, as he found her unattractive and maintained the relationship for political gain.
After Mary's death, the jewel returned to the king, who gave it as a wedding gift on more than one occasion, with the same outcome time and again. La Peregrina remained a treasure of the Spanish Crown for a couple of centuries, until Napoleon Bonaparte appointed his brother Joseph as the new king of Spain.
By the mid-19th century, the pearl would change hands once more, this time purchased by an English Duke named James Hamilton. However, the jewel would not bring misfortune to its new owners or their descendants, but this time, it would be nearly lost on more than one occasion, in apparent accidents.
After four generations of dukes, the pearl would be sold to a jewelry store, where it would fall into the hands of Elizabeth Taylor, who had already been divorced four times before obtaining the jewel.
The Pilgrim's last known whereabouts were at an auction house, where her journey around the world fades into history, leaving the question of whether her "curse" continues.
This is just one of the many stories that exist about objects that can bring bad luck to a marriage. We cannot guarantee that the curse exists, but we can guarantee that if love is true, no curse can separate it.
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