Purple Quahog Pearl Appraisal

[jepotts13]

Hi all,

First post, and hoping someone can help! Six years ago I happened to find a purple quahog pearl inside of a clam. I've held on to it and not done much with it since, but I'd like to get it appraised. I'm running into road blocks around my area trying to find an appraiser. Either places have never appraised one and want to charge me an arm and a leg to 'try', or they won't appraise it and have no suggestions on who to go to. Does anyone know of a reputable appraiser I can use for this, preferably near the Philadelphia area? If I need to either drive somewhere or ship it, I can do so. Thanks in advance!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I'm afraid your photo isn't showing up. Try sizing it smaller and post it again.

Quahog pearls can be more or less valuable depending on their color, size and shape. It may help you to see photos of some that are listed on The Pearl Collector and Kari Pearls.

http://www.thepearlcollector.com/quahog-pearls/?sort=newest
http://www.karipearls.com/quahog-pearls.html

These are retail prices but it may give you an idea of replacement value if you are considering insuring the pearl. However, if you are planning to sell the pearl, then remember one sells at wholeale-- the vendor would need to be able to mark it up in order make a profit when reselling it.

Just as a matter of information, there is no buying, selling or advertising on Pearl-Guide.

 

[jepotts13]

Oops! You're right. Photo is below.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I still don't see a photo!

Did you try sizing the photo smaller? Also if you are uploading photos from a smartphone, you have to use the desktop version of Pearl-Guide.

 

[jepotts13]

Ugh, this is so strange! I'm just listing the link, so I'm not sure why it's not showing up. Let me try one last time.
https://imgur.com/a/nuJUAYG

Edit: There we go! Apparently the forum doesn't like IMG tags...

 

[Pearl Dreams]

It's cute, and dark purple.

Have you considered having it set in a ring? It's a nice size for a ring and could be worn by either a man or a woman.

 

[pattye]

Kari has quite a few quahog pearls on her website, so perhaps you could estimate the retail value of yours just by comparison. I agree with PD, it would be lovely in a ring.

 

[JerseyPearl]

Kari has quite a few quahog pearls on her website, so perhaps you could estimate the retail value of yours just by comparison. I agree with PD, it would be lovely in a ring.

I had my quahog pearl set into one of Sheri's brilliant Octopus pendants. She finished the piece with lovely green and lavender enamel.

 

[jepotts13]

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately I'm not much of a jewelry person, which is why I was hoping to go the appraisal route... it seems like thepearlcollection.com or karipearls.com would probably be good places to start? Thanks all!

 

[pattye]

Thepearlcollector.com is looking to buy quahogs, according to their website.

JP, delightful use of your pearl!

 

[lilliefuzzysocks]

Jersey Pearl. I love your octopus pendant. The pearl looks fantastic on the neckline.

 

[parfaitelumiere]

I would also be interested, if not too expensive as I still don't have any quahog pearl for now, I have hundreds of natural oyster pearl, but no quahog...

 

[JerseyPearl]

Jersey Pearl. I love your octopus pendant. The pearl looks fantastic on the neckline.

Thanks LFS! I need to wear this one more often...he always makes me smile.