13mm Conch Pearl for sale at Bonham's Auction

13mm Conch Pearl for sale at Bonham's Auction Natural History, 12 Dec 2010

7601 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles

Lot No: 1494Y

Fine Conch Pearl

Strombus gigas or "Queen Conch"

Caribbean Sea

A conch is one of a number of different species of medium-sized to large saltwater snails and their shells. True conchs are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Strombidae, and the most well known species is the "Strombus gigas or "Queen Conch". The pearls they produce are calcareous concretions—that is they are non-nacreous and are made up of calcium carbonate (rather than aragonite which is the composition of nacreous pearls).

Several thousand snails would have to be found in order to recover a pearl as fine—and as large—as this one. Symmetry can be a particularly elusive attribute and this fine example displays the most sought-after ovoid shape. Its color is even—a true baby pink hue—and the luster is porcellaneous. But these factors are surpassed by the quality of its flame pattern iridescence—it consistently and evenly covers the entire pearl appearing to shimmer above its surface.
Weighing approximately 8.75 carats and measuring 13.0 x 10.0 x 8.0

Estimate: $8,000 - 10,000

Photos & text used with permission.

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