Pearlyman

Pearlyman is a largely archaic or historical term referring to a male individual associated with, or participating in, the occupation of pearling – the harvesting of pearls from oysters or other mollusks. The term could denote a pearl diver, a pearl fisherman, or someone involved in the trade or processing of pearls. Pearlymen were prevalent in regions known for pearl cultivation and harvesting, such as coastal areas in the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, parts of the Pacific Ocean, and certain river systems. The term generally implies a male worker, as female pearl divers, though existing, were less common in many historical pearling industries. The societal status and economic situation of pearlymen varied significantly depending on the location, the ownership of the pearling grounds, and the success of their dives or harvests.