Natural Freshwater Blister Pearl Re-discovered in Storage Box

Dear Kari,

I have enjoyed going through your very informative website.
I’m a senior citizen in the process of downsizing and noticed it this in my shell collection. This collection stretches back almost 70 years and I can’t honestly tell you where this individual shell came from. As kids, we used to pick up rocks and freshwater clam shells along the streams and rivers all over the Midwest, in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. I’m sure it’s a natural blister. I do not have the other half of the shell.

If you need any more information, let me know. Thanks for taking time to respond.

Because this shell has been knocking around in wooden crates and garages for at least 50 years, I’m not entirely sure of its condition. I will take it with me to the certified gemologist who is going to assess the large collection of gemstones that I have from my hobbies of lapidary and silversmithing. It’s not likely I’ll get that done before Christmas but I’ll give her a call tomorrow and set up an appointment. Thanks again, and I’ll keep you posted.

That shell just sat in a crate with six or eight others, for decades, and it was your information page that got me started thinking about it.

We go through dozens of oysters, clams, and mussels a year, and now I’ve got everyone watching for blister pearls. My days of shell collecting on beaches and rivers are behind me, but If I ever find another one on any kind of shell, I’ll let you know.

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I had been in touch with you about a natural freshwater blister pearl. I wanted to let you know I got an offer I could not refuse, and it has been sold.

R.L.


Do you have a natural blister pearl in your long ago forgotten storage box? I'd love to hear about it. Kari