99 carat Abalone Pearl at auction at Bonhams

99 carat Abalone Pearl at auction at Bonhams Natural History, 12 Dec 2010

7601 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles


Large Abalone Pearl

Haliotis sp.

Coastal waters of California near Fort Bragg
Abalone is a primitive univalve mollusk at least thirty million years old. Its pearl are rare and can take 8 to 10 years to form given that a specific combination of factors must exist for formation, including invasion of a foreign object, correct water temperature and availability of correct diet. A fine large pearl over 15mm is found in probably only 1 per 900,000 animals. The present horn-shaped abalone pearl of sizable proportions, with good spectral iridescence in tones of pink, blue, green and silver suitable for mounting as a pendant.
Weighing approximately 99.0 carats and measuring 43.0 x 26.0 x 14.5mm

Estimate: $1,500 - 2,000

Photo and text used with permission.

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