I found the "King of Quahog Pearls"

by Sharon
(Pawcatuck, CT)

17mm Purple Quahog Pearl

17mm Purple Quahog Pearl

My family and I have been in the Seafood retail business most of our lives. In 2005, I was shucking a bushel of quahogs from a new supplier when my knife got caught on something in the shell. Low and behold it was an egg-shaped purple wampum pearl! It is 25.675ct, 17mm & 4.54 grams! It has 3 shades of purple, quite impressive! Now what do I do with it?

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Mar 28, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		I think you measured right
by: Kari

Hi Sharon,

I think you measured right.

1.7mm is miniscule...very tiny.

Your purple pearl is the size of a dime.

What a beauty!
May 29, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		You have a pearl, not wampum
by: Bonnie

Hi Sharon

Wampum jewelry is made from the Quahog shell whereas a pearl is formed inside the shell. You have a real pearl. I understand these are rare and may be valuable, depending on shape, color, etc. If I were ever to find one, I would have it appraised. You may be surprised at its value.
Dec 02, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Maybe it is 17mm,
by: Sharon

It's abouth the size of a dime? How big is that? A local jewel measured it for me a couple of years ago. Still working on forwarding some pictures!
Dec 02, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		oops! missed the decimal
by: Sharon

Oops! Sorry, 1.7 mm :( yeah 17 would be quite unusual! I'm working on forwarding some pictures, I'm much better @ shucking clams than I am on computers!
Dec 02, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		17mm Quahog pearl...wow!
by: Kari

Hi Sharon,

Any chance of seeing a few photos of your "King of Quahog Pearls". It sounds like a real winner...wow, 17mm.

I think you should have the EGL appraise it for you. They can help you with putting a value on it.

Also, maybe you should contact the press. They love stories like this, even if you've had it for awhile, it's an amazing find.

You might even contact the Guinness Book of world records. Maybe you have the largest quahog pearl?

If you want to send photos...and I hope so, you can send them to my email: karipearls (AT)gmail (DOT) com. I will gladly add them to your page for you.

Thanks for sharing!

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