Betty Sue King, the “Pearl Goddess,” recently addressed a capacity audience at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), speaking on the magnificence of exotic pearls. King’s address kicked off the 2003 lecture series—”Color Perspectives”—hosted by the GIA Museum. A pearl industry specialist who has owned a pearl wholesaling business for 24 years, King covered topics such as the role pearls have played throughout history, their lore, sources, formation, and how they are brought to the market.