[TeddyBear]

Need to find a purple Quahog pearl to replace a lost one of high sentimental though relatively low monetary value. It was a deep flat brownish/purple, relatively high lustre, even though it was discovered in a clam that had been roasted in a Long Island clambake. The shape and look were very reminscent of a shiny plump chocolate covered raisin. If you are selling Quahog pearls, please send me your contact info.
Thank you

[SCOLEMAN7]

I Recently Shucked A Quahog And Found A Rather Large Pearl Inside. It Is About The Size Of My Thumb Nail,white To Off White In Color And Egg Shaped. I Have Found Numerous Pearls Inside A Quahog,some Black, But Mostly White Small And Rough Looking. Can Anyone Give Me Advise As To What If Anything It Is Worth?

[Caitlin]

There is not really a market value on Quahog pearls because they are too rare. One find of 2 large purple quahog pearls in an antique setting will probably go for a quarter million- or already did! But that was very unusual and the price was the result of a nationwide promotional tour before the auction.

It sounds like you have a collection. Can you take some photos? You can put them up here and a buyer may see them because I believe this forum is the most active center for quahog info right now.

We have several people wanting to buy or sell quahog pearls. There is a person looking for a dark, raisin-like pearl this past week. Have any like that? I assume you mean purple colored when you say black.

If you put up photos, there are people on this forum who can tell you something - and it would leave a valuable, permanent contribution to the forum too, for info puposes!

Good luck

Caitlin

[nkerr511]

I have a quahog pearl that is 14.30 mm and 12.76 carats. It is very lustrous and purple and has what looks like an eye. I have had it for many years as my grandmother found it in a quahog in a little bay on Cape Cod. I have been in touch with a few people regarding it, but have recieved no definite answer on when or where it might be sold.

[krensavage]

I just found a 6.2mm black(dark purple) AAA as rated by a local gemologist, perfectly round in a cherrystone clam here in rhode island . Has anyone heard of finding such in a clam. Any idea on the approximate value.Who could estimate its value ? Any good resources on clams producing pearls.

Thanks,


Tkrensavage@cox.net

[jshepherd]

Sure! A cherrystone is a Quahog, correct? You can do a search of "Quahog" on this forum and you will find quite a bit of content. Perfect specimens are rare, but a lot of people have discussed them here. I suggest contacting those that have them (and have posted here) and see what sort of information they have been able to uncover regarding value.

[Caitlin]

Hi Krensavage

Yes, please post one or more photos. Photos will increase interest a lot.

It does sound like a wonderful pearl. It is so rare to find such a pearl. I hope you consider getting it set in a piece of jewelry, or a tie tack or something, and start a family tradition with it.

It is next to impossible to guess what the market will be on such a rare piece, but if it is as perfect as the first post you put up describes it, you may find a buyer- perhaps even through someone visiting this forum.

Perhaps others who have found cherrystone clam pearls will pick up on your post too -

We had a number of comments on quahog pearls over here last summer. It appears that several people also have quahog pearls they found or inherited, and a few of them commented here, but it was pretty much agreed that there is not exactly a market, or a market value, because they are too rare. The value is whatever someone will pay.

One extraordinary set of 2 very large quahog pearls set in a 150 year old victorian brooch visited the Tucson Gem show last winter and created a huge sensation. The jewelry piece was on a publicity tour to drive up its value before it went to public auction. I believe they had it hyped up to 1/4 million, but I never heard what the actual sale price was...

A single unset cherrystone pearl will never bring anything close to the price for 2 very large quahog pearls in an antique setting, so don't get too excited. Also it could have easily cost 100k to tour the antique piece professionally, in order to drive the price up, so they were obviously gambling that someone would pay top dollar for a well-known quahog pearl! Not bad for the pearl monger who found the (filthy) brooch in a second hand store mixed in with a basket of costume jewelry, for $14!

[Richard W. Wise]

Cherry stone is a small quahaug. Didn't expect a California guy to know that. Speaking as a Swamp-Yankee, born and bred in Rhode Island. They are normally purple as is the little spot on one valve that was used to make wampum in pre-Colonial times.

[birdsnflight]

Hello * Newwbie* here....


I found in a clam about 12 yrs ago ( and still have) a purple pearl while eating clams (cherrystones) it is what I would call a small and is in a kidney shape. Does anyone know of the value of this gem? Thanks for all your help!!


Nancy WHite >-

[The Pearl Outlet]

Hi Nancy,

As you've probably already guessed, this is called a quahog pearl. These are rare pearls and you will want to find a dealer that deals with natural pearls to get an accurate value.

To find a dealer, I'd recommend contacting the NW Gem Lab. Their contact information is as follows:

Northwest Gemological laboratory
PO Box 8243
Boise, ID 83707
(208) 362-3938
FAX (208) 362-2889

[Angelonia_Anne]

My boyfriend has been in business for 25 years producing Clams Casinos from Quahog clams. These clams are sold by Wegmans Food Markets in New York State under the "Dave's Locker" Brand Name. Each clam is opened by hand.

Over this time, he has found several purple quahog pearls while opening millions of these raw clams over the years.

They range in size from a peanut to one the size of a Peanut M&M. Some of them are very dark purple, and some are a light lavender color.

He is now interested in selling them so I am looking for a market for them.

See attached picture to take a look at them!

[Angelonia_Anne]

Here is a picture of several Quahog Pearls I am looking for a market for. They were found by my boyfriend over a 20 year period of opening raw Clams for his business. (The name of his business is "Dave's Locker Clams Casinos". They are sold by Wegmans Food Markets all over New York State.)

[The Pearl Outlet]

If you'd be interested, we could have them evaluated and sell them for a small commission.

We have several private collectors that may find an interest in them once
they see them. Feel free to give me a call directly. Toll free 1-866-673-3036 x200.

[j7even82]

here are some pics of my quahog pearl it was not cooked and has a beautiful purple band around it that cant be seen very well in this pic any help finding the value on this would be great=)

[MICHAELCBRADY]

Posted by Admin for MICHAELCBRADY:

HI:
I JUST REGESTERED WITH THE PEARL-GUIDE AND READ ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE QUAHOG PEARLS.I'AM NOT A COMPUTER PERSON SO I HAVE TRIED TO SEND A PIC. OF MY PEARL TO THE FORUM BUT HAVE FAILED.THE PEARL IS ALMOST A PERFECT 6MM IN DIA.IT WAS MEASURED BY "ALAN GOLASH" AT HIS SHOP IN NEWPORT,R.I. HE TOLD MY WIFE AND I THAT IT WAS THE FINEST HE HAS SEEN AT THAT TIME. IT HAD ALL THE QUALITIES THAT HIS HAS EXCEPT FOR "SIZE".
MAYBE YOU COULD PASS THIS ONTO ONE OF THE PEARL EXPERTS AND THEY COULD PUT THE PIC. INTO THE FORUM. MY FATHER WAS OPENING QUAHOGS AT A PLACE IN WAREHAM,MA. AND WAS EATING THE INSIDES RAW WHEN HE FOUND THE PEARL.
THIS WAS IN THE 1930'S.