Pearls have always held an almost mystical place in the history of jewelry. As early as the 4th century B.C., pearls were already being used by royalty not only to enhance personal beauty, but also to denote their high status. Today, pearls are among the most popular items in the worlds of fashion and jewelry because they are timeless in their elegance and simplicity. But that isn't to say they're boring! Oh no. The beauty of pearls is that they are suitable for just about anybody, whether they be naughty or nice.

Pearls have been the favorite of many well-known personalities, both to give and to receive. For instance, it's a well-known fact that Monaco's Prince Rainier gifted his bride Grace Kelly with a Van Arpel set of pearl and diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet at their wedding, while Jackie Kennedy received a pearl necklace, a pearl and diamond bracelet, and other jewelry that were given to her as gifts for her wedding to John F. Kennedy. And cinematic siren Marilyn Monroe is said to have treasured a pearl necklace given to her by her husband, Joe DiMaggio, while they were honeymooning in Japan.

Examples of pearls gone wild exist in the celebrity world too. Actress Mischa Barton of "The O.C." has been photographed wearing strands upon strands of differently-sized pearls, making her look eccentric but more eye-catching than ever. Halle Berry wore a lariat necklace with Autore South Sea pearls nestling tantalizingly on her nearly bare chest during the 2003 premiere of her movie "Gothika." And viewers of the HBO comedy "Sex and the City" will remember the expression on sex-loving Samantha's face as she walked up several flights of stairs when she was wearing a pearl thong -- an unusual example of the combination of jewelry and lingerie.

That episode of "Sex and the City" caused a sharp increase in the sales of pearl thongs. And buyers have nothing but rave reviews about it. They say that walking or moving with a string of Manacor pearls between the legs is something that has to be experienced to be believed. There are numerous other examples of the use of pearls to enhance sex appeal or sexual experience -- or both. A belly chain of freshwater pearls is sure to turn heads at the beach, as would mother-of-pearl toe rings. For those who love body jewelry, there's a wide selection of belly rings, pierced and non-pierced nipple rings with pearl dangles. And for perhaps the ultimate example of pearls gone wild, think genital jewelry and sex toys. Whether they use faux pearls or real ones, these products have a loyal following among lovers of erotica.

Pearl jewelry is suitable for day and nighttime use, to send a statement of class and elegance. But remember that underneath the serene surface lies a naughty element and that you can use pearl jewelry to show your wild side.