It may not look as pretty as a strand of Mikimoto cultured pearls, but this lumpy specimen is a rare treasure. It is a non-nacreous natural blister pearl found inside the giant clam Tridacna Gigas off the waters of the Philippines. The stone is over six inches in length and weighs five pounds.
National Jeweler reports that a team of expert gemologists from the
EGL USA lab analyzed the pearl using high tech tools including digital radiography, close magnification and data provided by a handheld X-ray fluorescence unit. The pearl has been deemed one of the most valuable of its kind in the world today and the owner, Hadjzad Biteng is currently considering his options with regards to its future.
