Boudica was a Celtic queen of the Iceni tribe in England who led a rebellion against the Romans around 60 A.D. that resulted in the destruction of at least two Roman settlements, including Londinium (modern London) and almost drove Rome's imperial occupation forces off the island.
Metal hypersensitivity, also called allergic contact dermatitis, is one of the most common types of skin allergies and affects 10% to 15% of the U.S. population. Look for hypoallergenic jewelry since they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Humans have long since been fascinated by pearls, and mollusks have produced them throughout evolutionary history. Romans thought they were frozen tears of the Gods, Greeks attributed them to lightning strikes at sea. They were commonly dedicated to Venus, Goddess of love & beauty. Alexander Severus, born in Africa and not to be confused with Severus Snape from Harry Potter, reportedly hung pearls in the ears of a status of Venus. They're known as the Queen of Gems... but what causes a pearl?
Throughout history, beads have been used for spiritual/devotional purposes, as worry beads, gaming beads, for medicinal purposes, and as a form of currency. They're considered to be one of the oldest forms of trade in history.
