Nonetheless many pearls made it out of the archipelago by stealth , ending up in the possession of the wealthiest families in Europe .
At times , the largest pearls belonged by law to the sultan , and selling them could result in the death penalty for the seller .
Many pearls made it out of the archipelago by stealth , ending up in the possession of the wealthiest families in Europe .
At times , the largest pearls belonged by law to the sultan , and selling them could result in the death penalty for the seller .