Pearl found while fossil hunting in Iowa

by Shellane
(Humboldt Iowa)

Pearl Found While Fossil Hunting in 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.

Comments for Pearl found while fossil hunting in Iowa

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Dec 09, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		APPRAISER WANTED
by: Anonymous

If anyone knows an expert who dares to assess fossil pearls, please comment on it here. Thanks
Bruno
http://fossil.pearl.4t.com/main.html
Nov 30, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you, Shellane
by: Kari

Thank you for letting us know that you were not able to have your item identified or appraised. Most appraisers would not have experience with this type of thing. Maybe someone knows an expert who specializes in fossil pearls.
Nov 30, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		What is it?
by: Anonymous

I tried to have it valued, they said that they did not know what it was. However they did not charge me for the apprasial saying it is very interesting. Thanks Shellane
Nov 23, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Noah's Flood Pearls
by: BMS Foundation

Like to know the elevation where your pearl was found. Also, what success have you had in valuating it? I drove from Wyoming to New York to have the GIA evaluate them. The report said 'Glass'.

Of course. You don't take a wood saw to cut a slice off of a fossilized log. It's not wood any longer.

Nov 18, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wyoming fossilized pearls
by: Kari

Very interesting about the Wyoming fossilized pearls.

You can add photos and your explanation here:
https://www.karipearls.com/finding-a-pearl.html

Looking forward to your post.

Thanks for your comment.
Nov 18, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		NOAH'S FLOOD PEARLS
by: bmsf@mac.com

3 such pearls were found by an oil worker on a flat topped mesa at 7100 feet above sea level in Wyoming.
We have one of said pearls and would be happy to show photos of all three.

We have a different twist on how they came about and it goes along with the Bible, Apocrypha, etc.

fun stuff.

Like to have them evaluated.
May 19, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fossils of Iowa
by: Anonymous

Dear Robert,
Thanks for your information and help Regards, Shellane
May 18, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Humboldt Limestone
by: Robert Wolf

Hello Shellane, I'm author of Fossils of Iowa. 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
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Congratulations
by: Bruno

Hello:
Very nice piece.
I 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
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Nice!
by: Mandy

That's really impressive. Are you considering selling it?
Dec 31, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		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
Rating
starstar 		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
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		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.

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