Quahog Pearl Found

by Martha
(Chatham, Ma.)

I have been in the commercial shell fishing industry for forty two years. This morning while opening some chowders we harvested in Nantucket Sound off our dragger, a 10 by 10 mm perfect ball shaped quahog pearl spilled out of the last shell I shucked. The pearl is a light cream color with a pink stripe running through it. The finish is translucent and looks finely polished. I have opened a fair amount of chowders in my time and have to wonder how many slipped by me!