One Whale of a Pearl

Finding a giant gem – like the famous Hope Diamond - has long been the obsession of pirates and jewelry lovers alike. This week, one whopper of an oyster produced a five pound blister pearl in the waters off the Phillipines. According to expert gemologists, EGL USA, the pearl has been authenticated as one of the largest, and most valuable ever to be discovered and documented.

The brain-shaped specimen—a giant, non-nacreous natural blister pearl—was found in the giant clam Tridacna Gigas (a.k.a. the 'killer' clam) and measures over six inches in length.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime look at one of nature's most unique treasures," EGL USA Director Mitch Jakubovic said in their press release. "A pearl this size is not only the largest ever seen at EGL USA, it is among the largest ever seen anywhere."

David Bidwell, senior appraiser of EGL USA's appraisal affiliate, Universal Gemological Services, provided additional confidential counsel to the pearl's owner, Hadjzad Biteng.

"This is clearly one of the most valuable pearls of its kind in the world today," Bidwell said in the release. "Mr. Biteng is currently considering many exciting opportunities regarding its future. To coin a famous phrase, one could say that the pearl world is his oyster."

You can say that again.