I recently found a pearl while eating lobster - any feedback greatly appreciated

[Martin]

Hello all, I recently discovered what I now know to be a pearl while eating lobster. From what I can gather, to find this type of pearl is exceptionally rare. The pearl itself is quite small, about 2mm in diameter and appears to refract light in an unusual way. I would be grateful for any feedback as well as an idea of its worth if anyone out there can help me.

Thanks,

Martin

[Pearl Dreams]

Welcome, Martin!

I think you have a nice souvenir there but no commercial value.

Interesting place to find the pearl, since lobsters don't create pearls. Perhaps the lobster ate a mollusk that made the pearl? Then the whole thing was cooked (cooking is not good for pearls.)

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

No reason why a lobster couldn't form a pearl and lobsters don't eat whole clams. If this is indeed a lobster pearl, then it has some scientific value.

[Pearl Dreams]

Lobsters don't eat clams? Lobsters make pearls?
Back to the books for me!

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Lobsters eat clams, just not whole. They tear food into small pieces with their claws and place it in their mandibles using the tiny tips of their front legs. The actual opening is quite small and they almost never eat sand, rocks or bits of shell.

Pearls from arthropods isn't common, but it's not rare either and is well documented. Most of the known pearls are from the organs, presumably because crustaceans molt their exoskeletons annually and any pearls occuring near the shells would likely be under-developed and sloughed off.

[Martin]

Welcome, Martin!

I think you have a nice souvenir there but no commercial value.

Interesting place to find the pearl, since lobsters don't create pearls. Perhaps the lobster ate a mollusk that made the pearl? Then the whole thing was cooked (cooking is not good for pearls.)

Thank you for welcoming to the forum and many thanks for your reply to my posting. I can indeed assure you that I found it in a lobster (2 weeks ago in fact!). I wasn't absolutely sure what it was initially but as it looked like a pearl, I googled 'Lobster pearl' and subsequently came across this forum as there was a reference to the term in an older posting. Being highly skeptical myself about the whole thing (there doesn't seem to be hardly any information on the subject), I took my then-unconfirmed pearl to a local specialist who confirmed it was indeed a real pearl and that, although extremely rare, it is possible to find one in a lobster. He also suggested that it would be of commercial value but only in the niche of the niche markets. I know this is a exceptionally rare occurrence so I'd be quite happy to have it analyzed or x-rayed for authentication purposes.

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Finding a pearl, especially from an unusual species is a lucky event. Unfortunately, lobsters are steamed or grilled for several minutes to cook. This causes damage, by removing the protein between the calcified layers. This reduces the scientific value as well.

There is not much cause to have this tested by a lab, because most labs do not have baseline data of pearls from crustaceans.

Your advice from a local specialist is correct about niche markets.

It's a great story though, and you've done well to photograph, describe and bring it to our attention.

For that I'm grateful. Thank you.

[Caitlin]

I am glad too. The fact you posted this means it is now data. Having photos of a lobster pearl adds a great dimension to this site, as it is an information site!

[Alex]

what a great thread

amazing

[GemGeek]

Send an email message to member JNorris, a natural pearl dealer and tell him what you found.

[smetzler]

There is not much cause to have this tested by a lab, because most labs do not have baseline data of pearls from crustaceans.

It would be important to know if mineral composition is calcium carbonate (aragonite, calcite, vaterite) or matches the composition of crustacean shells (DATA).

[Kevin Canning]

first time I've heard of a lobster pearl, was there any other shellfish on the plate while you were eating the lobster?

[Martin]

Only lobster on the plate!

[Martin]

Can these type of lab composition tests be performed without damaging the pearl?

[Amrita]

Amazing story!