Big round natural?

pearlescence

pearlescence

purveyor of pearls UK/EU
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
4,057
I have no idea about the valuation on the natural but the price for the cultured seems high. A decent 17mm round white is rare but not that rare.
See newspaper report here
At least no grains of sand!
 
pearlescence said:
I have no idea about the valuation on the natural but the price for the cultured seems high. A decent 17mm round white is rare but not that rare.
See newspaper report here
At least no grains of sand!
Click to expand...

The natural, if certificated as such, should go for way way more than the estimate.

Completely agree about the cultured, way too high.

I will actually go to the auction for the natural, it is truly an important pearl
 
If you do go to the auction remember to visit Stonehenge and have a good look around Salisbury. Great mediaeval (v old indeed) city. Woodey and Wallis is quite a small local auction house.
 
Wow, Amazing pearl !

Does anyone know from what type of oyster / mollusk would a big natural pearl like this come from ??
 
The SSEF report only states saltwater natural pearl.

However, from the size, coloration and the fact it's nacreous, I'm guessing Pinctada Maxima, i.e. the oyster that produces the SS pearl.
The other Pinctadas are smaller in size. But hey, you never know.

In this forum, we've seen a 9 mm Poe Pipi, which is amazingly large considering the normal size of the oyster that produces it.
 
The implications of the origin of this pearl is so coincidental, I imagine Zeide would be pointing the part out where one of the missing French pearls is roundish and exactly the same weight. I thought it was worth capturing the sales pitch over here, for its historic value.

just a note for your imagination to run with. Some very large pearls have been found in the Pintada Maximas that inhabit the Persian Gulf for eons.

the source of this quote has the same ip as Paul's link above.
A large and important natural pearl, 33.15cts, 132.59 grains. 16.51 x 17.44mm.

Accompanied by report number 09623 from The Gem and Pearl Laboratory, London dated 21st January 2014 stating that the pearl measures 16.5 - 17.4mm, weighs 33.15cts and is a natural saltwater pearl.

Accompanied by report number 72642 from SSEF, Switzerland, dated 5th February 2014 stating that the pearl weighs 33.147cts (132.59 grains), measures 16.51 x 17.44mm, roundish, half-drilled, the colour is white and the pearl is a natural saltwater pearl.

With appendix letter stating:

The natural pearl described in Test Report No 72642 from the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF possesses extraordinary characteristics and merits a special mention and appreciation.

The described natural pearl exhibits an impressive size and weight of 33.147cts (132.59 grains), combined with an attractive roundish shape and smooth pearl lustre. The pearl shows an attractive white colour with weak ros? and green overtones, poetically also referred to as the 'orient of pearls'. Such overtones are due to an iridescence effect caused on the surface of pearls and greatly contribute to their beauty.

The combination of well-balanced trace elements found in this pearl is characteristic for a saltwater pearl.

A natural pearl of such a large size and quality is very rare and exceptional.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Documentation of historic round pearls can be prone to conflicting details and some pearls, over the years, have simply disappeared. Although some were recovered, the entire French crown jewels were stolen when the Garde Meuble (Royal Treasury) was stormed in Paris during the French Revolution in 1792. An inventory of the jewels had listed a 388 grain, round pearl just a few months previously. It has not been mentioned again.

A pearl of 148 grains was referred to in Taverniers Voyages (1676 - 1679) as being a gift to the Great Mogul from Shah Abbas. Again, it has not been mentioned since.

However, it is certain that the 33.14, or 132 grain pearl to be offered on May 1st 2014 is one of the largest round pearls ever to be offered at auction.
Click to expand...

This probably some huge pearl from the middle east if it wasn't described exactly by Tavernier The purveyors are referring to the crown French jewels to excite the imagination. It did mine for a minute, until I counted the grains, again.. I am posting the picture for its historic value, and, that is an accepted use of a photo that may be copyrighted. I accept all responsibility is this offends someone.

canvasbig.jpg
 
Last edited:
Caitlin,

I come to catch up here, as I have been occupied with life matters as of late. To you, making me laugh, almost pitting tea all over my monitor & keyboard! I have missed you so! Thanks for the giggle. This is a pretty pearl.
 
I am sorry about that, she is hard to pigeon hole but one of her favorite tricks was to say any "new" (on the public marketplace) pearl of size was from the French Crown jewels or other such claim. It always got me googling, though.

The following is obviously photo-shopped for at least a couple of the pieces are known to belong to famous people. Someone posted it shortly after Zeide arrived, then never posted here again, but the piece itself is really a masterful collection of well-known jewels, a few of which Zeide identified, so just for fun, here it is
In Z's own words, "da big bling bling"
da big bling bling.jpg
 
And to think I used to go to the same auction house when I lived in Salisbury...just to buy furniture for my flat! It's just a small local auction.
(and don't forget to add in what they call buyer's premium to that hammer price - prob 10 or 20% plus 20% VAT on the premium
 
Imagine how the ex-owner feels - What a Result!
 
Simply amazing. I hope the world doesn't lose sight of this pearl and we get to see the setting. :)
 
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