La Pelegrina Pearl: No Ordinary Royal Treasure

Have you ever imagined a pearl so magnificent that kings and queens treasured it for centuries? La Pelegrina pearl, a pear-shaped marvel weighing 133.16 grains, has traveled through history in the hands of Spanish royalty, survived two revolutions, and continues to captivate jewelry enthusiasts worldwide. The story of this remarkable gem spans nearly 500 years, touching the lives of famous monarchs and witnessing pivotal moments in European history.

In this article, you will learn:

• The fascinating origin of La Pelegrina and how it was discovered.
• Why this pearl was considered "incomparable" during its time.
• How La Pelegrina passed through royal hands in Spain, France, and Russia.
• The key differences between La Pelegrina and La Peregrina pearls.
• The mysterious journey of La Pelegrina after the French Revolution.
• How the pearl survived both the French and Russian revolutions.

The Origin of a Legendary Gem

La Pelegrina arrived in Europe in the mid-16th century. The pearl originated from American waters, specifically near the small island of Santa Margareta, about one hundred miles from San Domingo. Its discovery involved a stroke of luck that changed several lives forever.

An African slave found the pearl while diving for oysters. The shell containing this treasure appeared so ordinary that his master nearly threw it back into the sea. When opened, however, the shell revealed what would become one of history's most celebrated pearls.

The lucky slave received his freedom as a reward for finding the pearl. His master gained appointment as mayor of Panama. The pearl itself was presented to King Philip II of Spain by Don Pedro de Temez, who brought it from Panama.

Physical Characteristics of La Pelegrina pearl

La Pelegrina was no ordinary pearl. Pear-shaped with a long neck, it weighed 133.16 grains (33.29 carats), making it approximately the size of a pigeon's egg. For a century after its arrival in Europe, it was considered the largest known pearl in the world.

The pearl has a rare silvery white color that enhances its value and beauty. It possesses all the desirable characteristics of a high-quality pearl: ideal size, perfect pear shape, exquisite color, brilliant luster, unblemished surface, and excellent nacre quality.

When valued in 1579, La Pelegrina was assessed at 14,400 ducats. Jacoba da Trezzo, King Philip's master jeweler, declared it worth much more - potentially 100,000 ducats - emphasizing that it had no equal in the world.

The Name Confusion: La Pelegrina pearl vs. La Peregrina pearl

One of the most confusing aspects of this pearl's history is its name. The pearl is called "La Pelegrina," which some gem historians have translated as "the Incomparable." However, this translation isn't accurate in Spanish.

Adding to the confusion is the existence of another famous pearl called "La Peregrina" (meaning "the Pilgrim" or "the Wanderer"). La Peregrina is a completely different pearl, weighing much more at 203.84 grains. It also has its own royal history in Spain and was eventually purchased by actor Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969.

Some historians believe the name "La Pelegrina" was deliberately created to rhyme with "La Peregrina" while changing a single letter to distinguish between the two different pearls. Both pearls were part of the Spanish crown jewels but had different fates.

Royal Ownership: A Pearl for Spanish Kings

Philip II kept the pearl for his personal adornment after receiving it. He typically wore La Pelegrina as a hat buckle, looping up the side of his broad hat in Spanish fashion.

The pearl continued to appear at major court events through successive generations. In 1660, Philip IV wore the pearl when he brought his daughter Maria Theresa to marry Louis XIV of France. At this famous meeting at the Bidassoa River, La Pelegrina hung from Philip's hat alongside another famous jewel, the Mirror of Portugal diamond.

A Gift for a Royal Marriage

The pearl's most significant moment came in 1660. King Philip IV of Spain presented La Pelegrina to his daughter Maria Theresa as a wedding gift when she married King Louis XIV of France. This marriage was part of the Treaty of the Pyrenees between Spain and France, which ended years of conflict between the two kingdoms.

Maria Theresa became Queen of France and owned the pearl for 23 years until her death in 1683. During the wedding celebrations, her father King Philip IV wore another famous pearl - La Peregrina - as a hat ornament, which further adds to the confusion between these two magnificent gems.

The Mystery: After Maria Theresa

After Maria Theresa's death in 1683, La Pelegrina's history becomes unclear until it reappeared in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1826. There are several theories about what happened during this 143-year gap.

One possibility suggests Maria Theresa left the pearl to her only surviving son, the Dauphin Louis. It then might have passed down to Louis XV and become part of the French crown jewels. During the French Revolution in 1792, revolutionaries broke into the royal treasury (Garde Meuble) and stole many royal jewels. La Pelegrina may have been among these stolen treasures.

Another theory proposes the pearl went to Maria Theresa's nephew, Philip V of Spain, returning the pearl to the Spanish crown jewels. Some accounts even suggest the pearl traveled to India during this period, where it was owned by one of the maharajahs before finally reaching Russia.

Russian Nobility and Revolution

La Pelegrina reappeared in 1826 when Princess Tatiana Yusupova purchased it in St. Petersburg. The Yusupov family was among Russia's wealthiest noble families, known for their art collections and jewelry.

After Princess Tatiana's death, the pearl passed through generations of the Yusupov family. Princess Zinaida Yusupova, considered a legendary beauty, often wore the pearl as a head ornament or single ear pendant. A famous portrait shows her wearing La Pelegrina alongside another historic pearl, La Regente.

The pearl's fate became uncertain again during the Russian Revolution of 1917. Princess Zinaida's son, Prince Felix Yusupov (infamous for his role in Rasputin's murder), managed to smuggle La Pelegrina and other valuable jewels out of Russia when he fled to Paris in August 1917.

Modern History of La Pelegrina pearl

Prince Felix Yusupov sold most of his jewelry to Cartier in Paris between 1922 and 1934. However, he kept La Pelegrina due to its sentimental value. He finally sold the pearl in 1953 to Jean Lombard, a Geneva-based jeweler with connections to Russian nobility living in exile.

Lombard later sold La Pelegrina to an anonymous European collector. The pearl disappeared from public view until 1989, when it resurfaced at a Christie's auction in Geneva. The auction catalog described it as a pear-shaped pearl pendant with diamond embellishments.

La Pelegrina sold for a record sum of $463,800 (equivalent to $1,204,800 in 2025) at this auction. Since then, the pearl has remained with its anonymous buyer, continuing its mysterious journey through history.

Summary: A Remarkable Journey

La Pelegrina's story spans centuries of European history, passing through the hands of Spanish monarchs, French royalty, and Russian aristocrats. Its journey represents the rise and fall of great powers and the vulnerability of even the most precious treasures to historical upheavals.

Key points to remember about this legendary pearl:

• Discovered by an African slave near Santa Margareta island in the 16th century.
• Weighed 133.16 grains and was valued at a fortune during its time.
• Passed from Spanish royalty to French royalty as a wedding gift in 1660.
• Often confused with La Peregrina, another famous but larger pearl (203.84 grains).
• Survived both the French Revolution and Russian Revolution.
• Last sold at auction in 1989 for $463,800 (equivalent to $1,204,800 in 2025).

Like many historical treasures, La Pelegrina's complete story contains mysteries and gaps. Yet its legend continues to captivate our imagination as one of history's most remarkable pearls, carrying with it the whispers of kings and queens who once treasured its incomparable beauty.

Reference Material

Inspired by stories from the book by Adela Elizabeth Goddard Orpen "Stories About Famous Precious Stones,"originally published in 1890, by D. Lothrop Company.