Martin Van Buren Pearls

MARTIN VAN BUREN PEARLS

The Martin Van Buren Pearls are named after the 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren.

The Martin Van Buren Pearls are a collection of pearls once owned by the former United States President. The collection consists of two drop-shape pendant pearls, weighing approximately 30 grains each, and a necklace of 148 pearls. President Van Buren was gifted the pearls in 1840 by the Imam of Muscat.

The pearls are believed to have originated in the Persian Gulf, which makes them 'oriental pearls,' a term used to describe pearls from the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Mannar.

Today, the pearls are among the collection of the United States National Museum.