The Giga Pearl [1] holds the record as the largest certified non- nacreous pearl in the world. [2] The pearl weighs in at 27.65 kg (61.0 lb; 975 oz) and measures 39.37 cm × 22.86 cm × 20.95 cm (15.50 in × 9.00 in × 8.25 in), [3] which is four times larger than the Pearl of Lao Tzu (formerly the Pearl of Allah) which weighs 6.4 kg. [4] There have been claims of "the world's largest pearl" in recent years, [5] however, only the Giga Pearl holds the title on record as the world's largest GIA ( Gemological Institute of America) certified natural blister pearl, making it indisputably the largest in the world.
The Giga Pearl is owned by Abraham Reyes, a natural pearl and antiquities collector in Canada. [6] Reyes comes from the rank of avid collectors. His great aunt, who is in her late 90s, is a major collector of Asian artifacts in the Philippines. The pearl was given to his great aunt by his grandfather who came to visit her in Manila and brought a giant clam as a gift or pasalubong, a custom in Filipino culture.
The Giga Pearl was formed by a Tridacna gigas which is the largest extant bivalve. These giant clams can grow up to approximately four and a half feet (1.4 m) wide and can weigh up to approximately 550 pounds (250 kg). [7] They are found in the eastern Indian Ocean and west Pacific Ocean, from Thailand and western Australia eastward to Micronesia. [8]
The Giga Pearl is reported to be worth $60–$200 million USD. [9] [10] [11] [12] The pearl is currently being displayed in an octopus sculpture gilded in 22k gold by artist Bethany Krull. [13]
The Giga Pearl [1] holds the record as the largest certified non- nacreous pearl in the world. [2] The pearl weighs in at 27.65 kg (61.0 lb; 975 oz) and measures 39.37 cm × 22.86 cm × 20.95 cm (15.50 in × 9.00 in × 8.25 in), [3] which is four times larger than the Pearl of Lao Tzu (formerly the Pearl of Allah) which weighs 6.4 kg. [4] There have been claims of "the world's largest pearl" in recent years, [5] however, only the Giga Pearl holds the title on record as the world's largest GIA ( Gemological Institute of America) certified natural blister pearl, making it indisputably the largest in the world.
The Giga Pearl is owned by Abraham Reyes, a natural pearl and antiquities collector in Canada. [6] Reyes comes from the rank of avid collectors. His great aunt, who is in her late 90s, is a major collector of Asian artifacts in the Philippines. The pearl was given to his great aunt by his grandfather who came to visit her in Manila and brought a giant clam as a gift or pasalubong, a custom in Filipino culture.
The Giga Pearl was formed by a Tridacna gigas which is the largest extant bivalve. These giant clams can grow up to approximately four and a half feet (1.4 m) wide and can weigh up to approximately 550 pounds (250 kg). [7] They are found in the eastern Indian Ocean and west Pacific Ocean, from Thailand and western Australia eastward to Micronesia. [8]
The Giga Pearl is reported to be worth $60–$200 million USD. [9] [10] [11] [12] The pearl is currently being displayed in an octopus sculpture gilded in 22k gold by artist Bethany Krull. [13]