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". the giga pearl. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Largest natural non-nacreous pearl". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "GIA - Report Check". www.gia.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Wu, Anthony (2019-06-29). "Introducing the Giga Pearl - the World's Largest Natural Pearl!". anthony-wu-art. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Naas, Roberta. "This $100 Million Pearl Is the Largest and Most Expensive in the World". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "The World's Largest Pearl Is Owned By This Filipino". MEGA. 2019-01-11. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Giant Clam". Oceana. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Fatherree, James W. (15 November 2010). "A Look at the Giant Clam Tridacna gigas". Reefs.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "A pearl as you've never seen it before". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Mississauga, Ont., man's been hiding what could be the world's largest pearl — now he wants to show it off". CBC.
- ^ "Heirloom surprise: Fil-Canadian finds out he owns multi-million dollar pearl". ABS-CBN News. 2019-05-30. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Canadian Man Inherits 61-Pound 'Giga Pearl' — One of the Largest in the World". Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store. 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "The Giga Pearl". the giga pearl. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
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". the giga pearl. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Largest natural non-nacreous pearl". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "GIA - Report Check". www.gia.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Wu, Anthony (2019-06-29). "Introducing the Giga Pearl - the World's Largest Natural Pearl!". anthony-wu-art. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Naas, Roberta. "This $100 Million Pearl Is the Largest and Most Expensive in the World". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "The World's Largest Pearl Is Owned By This Filipino". MEGA. 2019-01-11. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Giant Clam". Oceana. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Fatherree, James W. (15 November 2010). "A Look at the Giant Clam Tridacna gigas". Reefs.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "A pearl as you've never seen it before". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Mississauga, Ont., man's been hiding what could be the world's largest pearl — now he wants to show it off". CBC.
- ^ "Heirloom surprise: Fil-Canadian finds out he owns multi-million dollar pearl". ABS-CBN News. 2019-05-30. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Canadian Man Inherits 61-Pound 'Giga Pearl' — One of the Largest in the World". Diamond Designs | Orange, CT Jewelry Store. 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "The Giga Pearl". the giga pearl. Retrieved 2021-05-26.