Article: Why No Pearls in Ancient Tombs?

The reason why pearls have never been found in ancient tombs is that they easily become damaged and lose their beauty, according to Chinese scientists.

Zheng Hanqin and Yang Jianping, from the Hebei Geology Institute in north China's Hebei Province, explained that fresh pearls are a gathering of crystal aragonite.

Within 50-70 years, the crystal aragonite will gradually lose its moisture content and change into calcite, which has no luster. The calcite soon ...

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