When he found a pearl of great value, he went out and sold everything he had and bought it.

And the twelve gates are twelve pearls – each one of the gates is made from just one pearl! The ¹  main street ²  of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.

The furnishings included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of the finest linen ¹  and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches ²  displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.

(The gold of that land is pure; ¹  pearls ²  and lapis lazuli ³  are also there).