Found Pretty Purplish Pearl

by Kimmie
(Aiken, SC)

Teardrop w/white tip

Teardrop w/white tip

Family beach day on Tybee Island, Savannah, GA. I had to make sure I indulged in some oysters, so I went to Bernie's Oyster House, my husband got fried oysters and I ordered a dozen steamed oysters. I was on my 9th or 10th oyster and I felt what seemed like a rock in my mouth. Still didn't know at the time what it was but I saved it in a napkin and tucked it away in my purse. I've been researching ever since yesterday when I cleaned out my purse and found the napkin. I had totally forgot it was in there. Wonder if it's worth anything. Oysters were soooo good too!

Comments for Found Pretty Purplish Pearl

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Aug 05, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Soap and Water
by: Kari

A gentle scrub with a cloth and soap and water should clean it up well. Purple is a common color for quahog pearls. It's most likely the color of it. Congrats on finding a rare quahog pearl. Lucky you!
Jul 30, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		found one too
by: Suzette

While eating charbroiled oysters yesterday I too got a surprise...it appears to be purple with a hint of white on the end as well. It looks very close to the same as Kimmie's. However I would like to know the best way to "clean" it to see if it is indeed purple...or just burnt from the open flame.
Any ideas?
Sep 28, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Still Have the Pearl
by: Kimmie

I took the pearl to get appraised by a local jeweler they said it needed to be cleaned so wasn't worth anything. Also said something on the line of it not being "natural". I got my pearl back! How much more "natural" can a pearl be! I found it inside the oyster I was eating and could have broken a tooth. Hmmmm. SMH
Sep 28, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Purple Pearl
by: Anonymous

Do not sell that pearl !
It is Exceptional !!!! You might contact the
Smithsonian an speak to them for clarity
of whether your pearl is one of the largest
of it's kind. I would gingerly somehow frame
it (without adhesives) using real white velvet.
*Protect it from strong direct light and heat.
Mark the back with nice label and *.
Truly a RARE FIND!
Tan
Aug 23, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Congrats
by: Kari

Hi Kimmie, Congratulations on finding a rare natural pearl. Your pearl looks more like a quahog pearl than an oyster pearl. Did you also order some little neck clams? Quahog pearls are very rare and do have value. The EGL lab in NYC used to appraise these between $200-800/carat. That was some years ago, it might be higher now. Your pearl is certainly a "keeper". I sell some neat little sterling silver cages on a chain if you are interested. That way you can enjoy it without drilling it or damaging it in anyway.
You can view quahog pearls for sale here.
Thanks for sharing! We love hearing about natural pearls!

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