Wanderlust World Wanderlust World According to Mexconnect, archaeologists estimate that natives of what is now present-day Mexico began diving for pearls approximately 7,000 years ago. When Spanish conquistadors met the native Pericu tribe in the 1530s upon arriving in the Sea of Cortes (now the Gulf of California), they recognized the pearls in the necklaces that tribe members wore. The difference between the natives' pearls and the baubles worn in Europe, however, was the fact that the pearls were blackened. Lacking metal knives, the Pericu cast oysters into fires to open them, singeing the pearls in the process. When the Spanish used sharpened tools to lever the oysters open, they saw that the luster of the pearls rivaled the quality of pearls from the Middle East. As the Spanish focused on conquering the area, pearls became a vital export to finance settlements and flaunt Spain's success in the New World to the rest of Europe.
From 1535 to 1821, Mexican pearls were unearthed from the sea and sent back to Europe. When troops from the United States invaded Mexico in 1847, they stumbled up over 100 fishing boats specifically geared towards pearl-diving expeditions. Throughout the early part of the 20th century, La Paz, a city in the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, was considered an oasis for pearl divers. However, at the end of World War II, Mexico's day in the pearl-harvesting sun was over, due to aggressive digging and exportation.
Up until 30 years ago, nude diving was the preferred method of excavating pearls. For the most part, diving is now conducted from large vessels that stay at sea for anywhere from two to three months at a time. Either nearby supply vessels or camps in close proximity will restock these ships as needed. Manning the ships are a captain, divers, rowers an captain and at least two bomberos (firefighters) to work the air pumps. Despite these more sophisticated methods, nude diving is still done, though limited to shallow waters.
The deeper the dives, the greater the health risks. Typically, divers go no deeper than 25 fathoms. (One mile equals 880 fathoms.) Divers are advised to spend no more than 30 minutes when 15 fathoms deep. Cold water forces the divers to surface frequently to vigorous rub their legs to revive circulation. Despite these rules and precautions, health risks remain. Abrupt temperature changes when going from oceanic depths to the surface can cause rheumatism, an arthritic disease identified by joint inflammation. To avoid this, dives typically occur during the warmer months of May to October.
Once oysters are delivered to accessible camps, they are typically handed over to old men who are veteran divers unable to handle the physical rigors. They wash the oysters to remove refuse before using knives to pry them open. Once the oyster body is removed, it is pinched and squeezed to locate a possible pearl, before being handed over to another surveyor for a second opinion and glance. In a typical day, workers rarely find more than a few tiny, rice-seed-sized pearls.
Pearls off the Mexican shore were declared endangered, first in 1939 and later in 1994. On the heels of the 1939 warning, fishing was banned to save the areas most popular pearl--the black pearl--among others, according to pearl-guide.com. In 1993, scientists began a program at the Tec de Monterry research institute in Guaymas, Sonora, to revive pearl culture. By 1995, approximately 5,000 half-pearls were cultured.