Pearl found while fossil hunting in Iowa

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Pearl found while fossil hunting in Iowa

by Shellane
(Humboldt Iowa)

Pearl Found While Fossil Hunting in Iowa

In September 2008. My 8 year old niece, I call her Sweet Pea, and I were fossil hunting the rock cliffs along the West Des Moines River in Humboldt, Iowa. We found a large snail fossil about 12 foot up the side of the cliff. We climbed the cliff to slowly remove the fossil from the solid wall of lime rock. My niece noticed a crack in the wall near the snail fossil. She saw something shinny in the crack. I climbed down and found a stick for her to poke in the crack. She did and out of the crack came this beautiful gem. It appears off white but when placed near other objects it takes on a lightly blue tint. Not sure if it is worth much, is a little over a half an inch in diameter and the most beautiful thing we have found on our adventures so far. If you have some insight I would be happy to read you.

Thank you, Shellane and Sweet Pea

P.S. Our snail fossil find meassures 4 inches in length and 3 inches in width.

The pearl that we found is a solid pearl,not a fossil. We found it while fossil hunting. This is a better photo of it hopefully.... Thanks you Shellane and Sweet Pea

See Shellane's first photo and comments about her wonderful pearl here.

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Pearl found while fossil hunting in Iowa

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May 19, 2010
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Fossils of Iowa
by: Anonymous

Dear Robert,
Thanks for your information and help Regards, Shellane

May 18, 2010
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Humboldt Limestone
by: Robert Wolf

Hello Shellane, I'm author of Fossils of Iowa, www.robetcharleswolf.net. I'm very familiar with the Humboldt area. The limestone is called the Humboldt Limestone and it is part of the Gilmore City Formation, Mid Mississippian in age. The Humboldt Limestone is noted for its wide variety of snail fossils, some of which are quite large. In some places it has a bunch of other fossils too, but I'm not aware of any pearls. Hope this helps.
Robert Wolf

Jan 01, 2009
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Congratulations
by: Bruno

Hello:
Very nice piece.
I invite you to enjoy :
http://fossil.pearl.4t.com/ingles.html
Where show several pieces of fossil pearls.
For several years I have been promoting these gems, very few people are interested because that intimidates them or the people tend to believe that they are forgeries.
I hope that you will have better luck.

Jan 01, 2009
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Nice!
by: Mandy

That's really impressive. Are you considering selling it?

Dec 31, 2008
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reply
by: Shellane

No not a marble, thought that myself, but took it to several gem shops and they conferm is a pearl.
Thanks Shellane

Dec 31, 2008
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Pearl
by: Lyn

Are you sure it's a pearl? It looks porclian, like a old marble, that could have dropped, or washed down from some where.
What ever it is, it is exciding to find.
Lyn

Dec 31, 2008
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Beautiful natural pearl photo
by: Kari

Thanks, Shellane, for sending the new photo. It shows your pearl very clearly. What a fantastic pearl! The unique blue color, size, shape and condition are amazing.

I recommend these natural pearl appraisers:

David Bidwell in New York
(212) 730-7380 Ext. 215

Gina Latandresse in Tennessee
615-298-4111

You may also enjoy these pearls that have been found in the earth in Florida.

Natural Fossil Pearls for Sale

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Pearl found while fossil hunting in Iowa

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Pearl found while fossil hunting in Iowa