Pearl Jewelry: Historic 5-Ft Wide, 3-Ft Tall 'Pearl Capitol' With 200,000 Akoya Pearls 'Worth Millions,' On Its Way To Houston

Pearl Jewelry goes patriotic -- A 5-ft. wide, 3 ft.tall replica of the nation's most famous federal building has been "re-built" with more than 200,000 rare cultured pearls said to be equivalent to 4,000 pearl necklaces -- "and it's a feast for the eyes", says Houston-area jeweler Norman Hargrave.

Baytown, TX (PRWEB) June 1, 2006 -- An imposing 5-ft. wide, 3-ft tall replica of the U.S. Capitol handmade from more than 200,000 Akoya pearls and said to be the equivalent of 4,000 pearl necklaces “worth millions,” is coming soon to a small Texas jewelry store with large connections in the pearl world.

The “Pearl Capitol,” owned by Rhode Island-based Imperial Pearl Company will reside June 13-17 in the showroom of Robson Jewelers during a promotional event sponsored by the 80-year-old family-owned store. Imperial Pearl president Peter Bazar says this is the first time the rose-lustered pearl Capitol has been displayed outside of Washington, D.C.

Until nine months ago, the built-to-scale model of the nation’s most famous federal building was on display for 42 years in the United States Historical Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. Bazar says Imperial Pearl Company presented the unique artifact to the Washington nonprofit organization in 1966. It was commissioned in 1959 by the company’s previous owner to promote the sagging post-World War II Japanese pearl industry. "It took more than two years for workers from the Oteki Pearl Farm in Kobe, Japan to harvest the pearls,” says Bazar.

“When we learned that the Pearl Capitol was going to be auctioned off we knew we had to have it back. Now we’ve bought it twice,” he says. The pearls are 3 mm. to 7 mm. in size.

Akoya pearls are bred in saltwater and known for their high luster, rosy overtones and perfectly round shape.

Why is the Pearl Capitol coming to the Baytown jewelry store on its maiden showing outside Washington?

“A lot of people have asked me that question,” says Norman Hargrave, the store’s owner. “They wonder why this beautiful thing isn’t going to a much larger jewelry store somewhere. But, Robson’s has a long history with Imperial Pearl,” he says.

“They know us well, and of course there’s no doubt about it, we’ve bought a whole bunch of pearls from them since my grandfather first went into business in 1926. They trust us and we’re honored. This is going to be a fun way to show off our store and also to catch people’s reaction when they see this fabulous exhibit. If you love pearls, it’s a feast for the eyes. Besides,” says Hargrave, “June is Pearl Month.”

Hargrave, who says Robson’s is one of the longest continually-operated jewelry stores in Texas owned by one family, says he will display vintage photos of 1960s-era movie stars and dignitaries viewing the with the Capitol replica.

Baytown, 30 miles east of downtown Houston with a population of 70,000, is probably best known as the home of the Exxon oil refinery, one of the largest in the world.

The jewelry store owner says he is spending more than $15,000 in security and insurance to ensure the safety of the Capitol, which is crowned by an American flag made with alternating rows of diamonds, sapphires and rubies. The Capitol model is the centerpiece of the store’s 5-day marketing event. Hargrave says a giant pearl the size of a plum, also on loan from Imperial, is part of the display. There is no charge to attend.

The Washington historical society had the pearl model appraised in 1988, says Hargrave. “They said it was conservatively worth $640,000. We know that 18 years later it’s priceless.”

To see the Pearl Capitol:
June 13-17
Robson Jewelers
1120 West Baker Rd.
Baytown
Exhibit opens 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 13th
No charge
Store located across from Luby’s Cafeteria
For more information call (281) 427-5700 or visit
www.robsonsjewelers.com

Note: pictures available upon request.

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