Remember the myth, “Be careful eating clam chowder, you may bite into a pearl”? In this case it’s true and it’s a rare quahog pearl. They are so rare only four are known to have been found since 2002 and all were found while eating or cleaning clams. A fifth pearl was sold in 2015 but had been found a few years before in a bowl of chowder. The quahog pearls are lavender and lustrous and big enough to mount in a ring. They finally sold it to a Japanese collector for $16,500. The pearls are so rare it was difficult to set a value. This is the first price we have seen.
Photo Credit: PRWeb
Down here in Georgia I have been fortunate to find three small cream-colored pearls when eating steamed oysters with my wife. Pearls are magical, and I write a biweekly column for the Savannah Morning News titled “Looking for Pearls.”
Years ago while shucking the clams we found a pearl. It is 1/2″ wide circular pearl. It’s color is cream I thought I should make it into a ring but, never did. Who should I contact about getting more info on this? Thank you for your help…Nancy
Guess I’ll start making more clam chowder for my husband!
While vacationing in NY in the 1980’s one of these was in my clam! It remains in my jewelry box awaiting it’s fate.
While vacationing in NY in the 1980’s we found one of these and it’s been nestled in my jewelry box waiting to do something with it.
I didn’t know pearls were created in clams, I thought it was only oysters. My birthstone is the pearl (June) so I’m always checking out pearls so this is new info for me. Is there a value difference between oyster and clam pearls? If they weren’t such a pain to open I’d have my brother and mother, who are both oyster NUTS start buying their oysters in the shell.
I don’t know if I am considered one of the four but I am fortunate enough to have one. It was found in a quahog from a beach nearby. I had a special jewelry basket that I wear on a chain around me neck. To me it is priceless