The Wandering Pearl
La Peregrina: The 500-Year Journey of "The Wanderer"
For half a millennium, a single, extraordinary gemstone has quietly witnessed the rise and fall of empires, passing through the hands of European royalty and shaping a legacy unlike any other. This is the story of La Peregrina—a flawless, pear-shaped pearl weighing an astounding 55.95 carats.
A Royal Discovery
The pearl’s remarkable story began in the mid-16th century in the Gulf of Panama, off the coast of the appropriately named Pearl Islands. Discovered by an enslaved diver, the gemstone's sheer size and perfect symmetry were completely unprecedented. Recognizing its immense value, Don Pedro de Temes, the administrator of the Spanish colony, acquired the pearl. In an act reflective of the stone's extraordinary worth, he granted the diver his freedom and presented the magnificent gem to the future King of Spain, Philip II.
A Jewel of Queens and Kings
Thus began the pearl’s centuries-long journey through the royal courts of Europe. Philip II famously gifted the gem to Queen Mary I of England (Mary Tudor) ahead of their marriage. She cherished the stone, wearing it prominently as a pendant suspended from a grand brooch. This iconic piece of jewelry was immortalized in her famous portrait painted by the Dutch master Antonis Mor, forever linking the pearl to English royal history.
Earning Its Name
Following Mary's death in 1558, the pearl was returned to the Spanish Crown, where it remained a prized centerpiece of the royal treasury for over 250 years. However, its travels were far from over.
When Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Joseph, was installed as the King of Spain, the pearl came into his possession. Upon his forced abdication and exile in 1813, Joseph fled the country, taking the legendary jewel with him. It was during this period of political upheaval, displacement, and shifting royal ownership that the stone finally earned the fitting moniker it bears today: La Peregrina, which translates from Spanish to "The Wanderer."