World's Largest Natural Giant Clam Pearl Worth $130 Million Was Sitting Under A Fisherman's Bed For 10 Years
The world’s largest natural giant clam pearl may have been recovered, according to Philippine officials. The pearl, which weighs 75 pounds, was first discovered 10 years ago by a fisherman off the coast of Palawan Island.
The fisherman reportedly did not know the value of his find and kept the pearl under his bed as a good luck charm. Nearly a decade after discovering it, he gave the pearl to his aunt, Aileen Cynthia Maggay-Amurao, when he had to move to another province. Amurao, a tourism officer in the local Palawan government, gave the pearl to the mayor so it can be a tourist attraction.
"We were amazed when he brought it to us," said Amurao to local media, reports the BBC.
Officials are waiting for gemologists to authenticate the pearl, which measures 1 foot in width and 2.2 feet in length, and confirm that it truly is the largest in the world. A natural clam pearl of this size is estimated to be worth $130 million.
“So far based on our research in the web we cannot find any recorded article about this kind and as big as this size,” said Amurao to The Guardian.
The pearl is on display in the atrium of the New Green City Hall in Puerto Princesa.
“The Puerto Princesa City would likely earn another prestigious title and a record breaker for having the world’s biggest natural giant pearl from a giant clam (34 kilograms) after being certified for its authenticity,” wrote Amurao on Facebook.
The current title holder for the largest natural giant clam pearl is the 14-pound Pearl of Lao Tzu, which was discovered in Palawan waters. The pearl, found in 1939, was most recently valued at $93 million in 2003 by a Colorado-based gemologist.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.