Pearls pop up in early history as a highly coveted gem, revered by rulers of ancient civilizations of China, India and Rome. According to Xhao Xi Gou, a writer of Sung Period, ancient Chinese “did not value gold or jade, but valued pearls for they were far brighter”. In ancient China, pearls were used not only for adornment, but also as currency. They served to enhance their owner's image, imparting an air of authority and grace.

In Rome, pearls were assigned such tremendous value that entire military campaigns could be financed on sale of a single pearl. The Romans ranked pearls as their most precious commodity. The Romans sent so much gold to India in exchange for pearls that a serious trade imbalance developed and Roman economy weakened significantly. It was only a matter of time before Rome's pearl decadence contributed to decline of Roman Empire.

In order to be eligible for a legal Bahamas wedding, you and your partner must spend one day in Bahamas before submitting an application for a marriage license ($100). You must provide a photo ID. If you are widowed, you are required to provide death certificate of your spouse; if you are divorced, you must provide a document proving that you are legally divorced. You will also need to have proof of your arrival date in Bahamas (your Bahamas Embarkation Card will do). It is recommended that you obtain a copy of your wedding certificate before you leave Bahamas. It can be mailed to you if time is an issue but delays and complications have been frequently encountered. Once you arrive home, you will need this marriage certificate in order to obtain other legal documents.