Why Is Pearl Diving Important?

Pearl diving has a rich history in the United Arab Emirates, dating back centuries. Before the oil boom, pearl diving was an essential part of the Arabian Gulf economy. Local divers took significant risks to collect oysters from the shallow waters of the Arabian Gulf, using ropes to reserve energy. Although pearl diving in the UAE has almost completely disappeared, Ras Al Khaimah is still producing cultured pearls better than those found in other regions.

The pearl industry played a crucial role in shaping the heritage and traditions of the Gulf region for thousands of years. People in the Gulf knew pearls as an adornment, a craft, and an industry, and it gained great importance for the local economy. Pearl hunting, also known as pearling, was the activity of recovering or attempting to recover pearls from wild molluscs, usually oysters or mussels.

Prior to the discovery of oil in Qatar, pearl diving was one of the country’s main sources of income, and demand for pearls around the world kept the industry thriving. The Adventures program explores the history of pearl diving using age-old techniques in finding unique gems inside living creatures. Pearl diving was the basis for the founding of cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Today, the tradition of pearl diving is commemorated through various cultural events and traditional activities, all aimed at paying tribute to the ancient pearl diving industry that played a significant role in shaping the economy and the culture of the UAE.

Why was pearl diving important?

Well before the oil boom, the pearl industry contributed to not just the economic growth of Abu Dhabi, but the whole of the UAE. Pearl diving was the major profession for most of the population and was a source of sustenance to local families.

Abu Dhabi’s history is deeply connected to the sea, with the emirate being an archipelago made up of hundreds of islands. The Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey offers travellers an authentic look at the pearling industry in the Arabian Gulf, an industry that contributed to not just the economic growth of Abu Dhabi, but the whole of the UAE. Archaeologists have found evidence of pearling dating back thousands of years here, with the country’s precious sea treasures being traded around the world − from Rome to Venice, Sri Lanka to India − and evidence of UAE pearls even showing up in Viking possessions. The world’s oldest-known natural pearl, which was 8,000 years old, was also found in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

This unique tour begins at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel and lasts up to 90 minutes. Guests climb aboard a Jalboot, a traditional pearling dhow, and set off on a leisurely cruise along the quiet channel lying between Abu Dhabi and Hudayriat Island.

Seated on traditional Arabian floor cushions, guests enjoy local Arabic coffee and dates while Emirati guides explain how the country’s forefathers dived for pearls, and how they used them to make jewellery. On-theme snacks are served as crew members sing traditional Emirati sea-faring songs.

Is pearl diving ethical?

Let Bivalves Be Bivalves. Oysters and other bivalves deserve compassion and don’t exist for humans to eat, exploit, or crack open for decorative jewelry. It’s speciesist to kill them for their pearls or to eat them. You can help by never participating in pearl-diving attractions and by telling SeaWorld to stop exploiting other animals.

Why is pearl diving important in Qatar?

Initially, pearls were traded to India, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw a surge in pearl trading, symbolising it as the golden era. Several pearl merchants from across the globe arrived in Qatar for pearl trading, increasing the demand. In 1907, 48% of Qatar’s 27, 000 population were employed in pearling. This boosted the country’s economy and business sector and transformed the country into a commercial hub.

Today, as Qatar continues to diversify its economy, the history of pearl diving remains a symbol of resilience, tradition, and the enduring connection between the people and the sea. Committed to preserving the legacy of pearling, not only can these fine jewels be seen on display and throughout many jewellery pieces at this year’s DJWE, but also throughout the country including the Qatar Pearl Monument on the Corniche, the Pearl Island, Souq Waqif and Souq Al Wakrah pearl markets the National Museum of Qatar, and more.

The 20th edition of Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition is being hosted from February 5 to 11 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. For more information on Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2024, please visit djwe.com. To keep up with the latest events of Qatar Calendar 2024, please visit visitqatar.com.

For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism’s Press Office on:

How long can pearl divers hold their breath for?

Two minutes There are about 2,000 “Ama” left in Japan—female pearl divers who plunge unaided to the bottom of the ocean 100 to 150 times a day, holding their breath for up to two minutes at a time while swimming vigorously to collect pearls and food.

There are about 2,000 “Ama” left in Japan—female pearl divers who plunge unaided to the bottom of the ocean 100 to 150 times a day, holding their breath for up to two minutes at a time while swimming vigorously to collect pearls and food. The profession is an ancient one, mentioned in texts almost 2,000 years ago, and even 60 years ago there were more than 15,000 Ama.

The physiology of pearl diving is amazing, thanks to the body’s intricate response to the sensation of diving. When your body detects a lack of breathing and cold water on the face, a series of automatic responses kick in, constricting your blood vessels, increasing your blood pressure, and causing your heart rate to drop. While diving, pearl divers often see their heart rate drop to half its resting value—even though they’re swimming hard.

How does the body handle these unique demands? Based on comparative studies of diving mammals like seals and whales, you’d expect the divers to have much more compliant (i.e., elastic) arteries in order to maintain circulation while underwater.

How long do pearl divers hold their breath?

Two minutes There are about 2,000 “Ama” left in Japan—female pearl divers who plunge unaided to the bottom of the ocean 100 to 150 times a day, holding their breath for up to two minutes at a time while swimming vigorously to collect pearls and food.

There are about 2,000 “Ama” left in Japan—female pearl divers who plunge unaided to the bottom of the ocean 100 to 150 times a day, holding their breath for up to two minutes at a time while swimming vigorously to collect pearls and food. The profession is an ancient one, mentioned in texts almost 2,000 years ago, and even 60 years ago there were more than 15,000 Ama.

The physiology of pearl diving is amazing, thanks to the body’s intricate response to the sensation of diving. When your body detects a lack of breathing and cold water on the face, a series of automatic responses kick in, constricting your blood vessels, increasing your blood pressure, and causing your heart rate to drop. While diving, pearl divers often see their heart rate drop to half its resting value—even though they’re swimming hard.

How does the body handle these unique demands? Based on comparative studies of diving mammals like seals and whales, you’d expect the divers to have much more compliant (i.e., elastic) arteries in order to maintain circulation while underwater.

What is the cultural importance of pearl diving in the UAE?

Pearl diving has been an integral part of the rich and diverse history of the Arabic world, with a tradition that spans many centuries. In the United Arab Emirates, pearl diving held a prominent position as a major industry, playing a crucial role in the economy before the discovery of oil.

The art of pearl diving involved a set of skills and techniques that were passed down through generations, creating a profound connection to the sea and its treasures. The divers would use traditional methods to free-dive for oysters, enduring the challenges of the deep sea to retrieve these precious gems. The process of harvesting, cleaning, and sorting the pearls was a meticulous craft, requiring patience, expertise, and a deep respect for the natural world.

This ancient tradition not only shaped the economy of the region but also formed a unique cultural identity deeply intertwined with the bounties of the ocean.

Does removing pearls hurt oysters?

Even if the oyster survives these two steps, it has no chance of getting through unscathed during removal of the pearls (up to 32 per creature) which can be after as long as seven years of pain and agony — only to produce a couple of culturedpearls. And, only 40% of the pearls obtained are marketable, out of which 5% turn out perfectly spherical and fetch a good price.

Removal of the pearl inside involves splitting open the pearl oyster by inserting a knife between the two valves and twisting it to cut the adductor muscle that holds the shell closed, thus effectively killing the creature… and “just too bad” if no pearl is found or has been properly formed which is more likely.

Thus each and every pearl, whether cultured or natural, represents hundreds and thousands of oyster shells being opened up and discarded, resulting in their death.

Why do people dive for pearls?

For centuries, the pearl diving industry has been a cornerstone of the economy in the Gulf region and was once the driving force of the economy, driving demand for pearls around the world. This industry was so important that up to 95% of Qatar’s able male population were employed in pearl diving, demonstrating its vital role in the country’s economy. The pearling lands extend from Kuwait along the coast of Saudi Arabia to Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, where the fishing season is usually concentrated between April and September.

The profession of pearl fishing has left a lasting legacy. It has contributed to shaping the heritage and traditions of the regions in which it was practiced. This profession is still celebrated through annual pearl diving competitions in some areas of the Gulf, such as off the coast of Qatar, Kuwait, and the Emirates, and the goal is to revive the heritage of this profession. And make people feel the experiences of their ancestors during pearl diving and fishing.

The profession of pearl diving was the first industry in the Arabian Gulf, as well as the profession most associated with the region, before Japan developed cultured cultured pearls in 1916 by the Japanese businessman Mikimoto, which left a profound impact on the natural pearl market.

Which country is famous for pearl diving?

Pearl divers near the Philippines were also successful at harvesting large pearls, especially in the Sulu Archipelago.(when?) In fact, pearls from the Sulu Archipelago were considered the “finest of the world” which were found in “high bred” shells in deep, clear, and rapid tidal waters. At times, the largest pearls belonged by law to the sultan, and selling them could result in the death penalty for the seller. Nonetheless, many pearls made it out of the archipelago by stealth, ending up in the possession of the wealthiest families in Europe. Pearling was popular in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Japan, India and some areas in Persian Gulf countries. The Gulf of Mexico was particularly famous for pearling, which was originally found by the Spanish explorers.(citation needed)

The shallow Persian Gulf produced many pearls, and the pearling industry flourished in Kuwait, UAE, and Qatar, with Bahrain producing the highest export. The price for pearls increased throughout the nineteenth century, with the pearl trade expanding in this region. At this time, pearls from the Persian Gulf were being traded in Aleppo and Istanbul, and there is evidence that merchants would sail to India (particularly Bombay) to sell pearls. By the 1930s, there were a few traders travelling all the way to Paris to sell their pearls. In the early twentieth century, it was estimated that about a quarter of the population living in the Persian Gulf’s littoral was involved with the pearl trade. In the Persian Gulf, the pearling industry was dominated by slave labor, and male slaves were used as pearl divers until the final abolition of slavery in the Gulf states in the period of 1937–1971.

The pearling industry in this region reached its zenith around 1912, “the Year of Superabundance.” By the 1950s, however, dependency on pearls was replaced by dependency on oil, as oil was discovered and the oil industry became the dominant economic trade.

Why were pearls so valuable?

Though classified as a gemstone, pearls are extremely unique, largely due to the fact that they are the only gem material formed and found within a living creature. Unlike diamonds, rubies, emeralds and more, pearls require no cutting or polishing before use and are simply stunning the way they naturally form.

Pearls are rare; only one in several million shellfish yield a pearl. However, cultured and farm-grown pearls are common, which is why we still see them featured on jewellery all over the world. As one of the most ancient gems, pearls have been a jewellery statement for over 6000 years, with records dating back to 13th Century China. As the June birthstone, pearls appeal to many people for their stunning qualities and value.

Pearls are formed when an irritant, which is usually a grain of sand or similar, gets deep enough inside the shell of a mollusc that it cannot eradicate it. This causes the shell to produce more nacre, which coats the irritant. Nacre is the shiny substance that is found in the interior of most shells and is composed of the mineral aragonite and conchiolin. A large amount of nacre that forms around the irritant over time eventually becomes a pearl.

Why is the Pearl culture important?

New technologies and more widespread access to technologies for cultivating pearls have played a major role in altering the economic structure of the cultured pearl industry. The structure and nature of the pearl industry varies between countries but on a global scale, the pearl oyster industry is dominated by a few large vertically integrated companies. Australia is the world’s major supplier of South Sea pearls. Technological change has resulted in the industry becoming more capital intensive in Australia. When such economies in marketing are also taken into account, significant economies of scale seem to be experienced by this industry. Pearl culture has the potential to provide increased economic opportunities to remote marine communities. For such communities, pearls have the advantage that their value is high relative to their weight and they are easily stored. Even though pearls do not satisfy any basic needs, they are highly valued. Their value derives from their inherent beauty and the social “messages” they convey when worn or given. Their relative scarcity, especially of sought after specimens, adds to their economic value. The market shares of pearls from different species of pearl oysters have changed considerably in recent decades, as have the shares of the main countries producing cultured pearls. On the socioeconomic side, it was found that in some countries, substantial numbers of small-scale producers of pearl oysters have been able to survive economically. However, they are at an economic disadvantage compared to large producers. A positive feature of the industry is that it fosters decentralization and provides economic opportunities in remote areas.

All figure content in this area was uploaded by Bernard Poirine.

• 25+ million members
• 160+ million publication pages
• 2.3+ billion citations

How much do pearl divers make?

Diver Pearl SalaryAnnual SalaryHourly WageTop Earners$64,000$3175th Percentile$53,000$25Average$49,577$2425th Percentile$40,000$19.