I agree with what several of you have already said about most people having no idea about pearls or really any kind of fine jewelry. It's pretty disheartening!
Most people don't know about pearls. But that's okay-- we can still wear our pearls for our own pleasure.
Really, I think most people only know about the things that happen to interest them.
People collect all sorts of things. My husband used to collect antique firearms and knew all about those, while I knew nothing. He sold the firearms after our daughter was born, and now it's antique pocket knives. Some of them go for shocking prices, but to me they all look alike.