27mm Kamoka Tahitian Pearl!!!!!!!!!!

[Josh]

WOW. I can't begin to explain what we are going through down here. In the process of finishing up our latest harvest, we discovered some oysters at the end of a line that had been there for a very long time. There was still a plastic Dymo marker on one of the strings that said April 20, 1997. All of the pearls were garbage with the exception of this one SPECIMEN. Here it is:

It measures in at 27.183mm and is perfectly round. The color is out of this world: cherry with strong purple tones. AMAZING!!!!

 

[Josh]

We had it X-rayed by the Service de la Perliculture and the nacre thickness was so thick, they couldn't find the nucleus. Here's Pascal, searching in vain for signs of the bead at the center.

 

[Josh]

Here's a close up of the X-ray. Pascal was frustrated to not be able to find it.
As far as I can tell, it's the largest pearl of gem quality ever produced in French Polynesia. What's it worth? Still too early to tell but the price will be accompanied by at least six zeros, maybe seven.

 

[Hanaleimom]

Felicitations, Josh!!! Huge pearls usually don't have beautiful colors. What a rare treat and a memorable day for you.

 

[Mikeyy]

What a rare treat. That is lucky for you. Very cool.

 

[Nora]

I am s p e e c h l e s s and very happy for you all.

 

[Caitlin]

Wow that pearl is out of a fictional story! I am so glad you do have the expertise to get the right price for it.

What do you mean by the others were garbage? I have seen some mighty nice pearls other called garbage.

 

[olmander]

Josh, congratulations, this is quite an event. How exciting!!!
I am also totally speechless...

 

[olmander]

Guys, is it also a 1 April joke?

 

[Hanaleimom]

How can the nucleus disappear? It has to be at least 6mm. Putting that smack dab in the center would mean there is 10mm of nacre on each side.

Can you take a pic of the pearl with something else for size reference?

 

[pattye]

Josh,

If this is a joke, beware the next time I see you! Am sitting here with my little mm gauge at 27mm, in total awe of such a glorious pearl, and so happy that it would belong to someone so deserving--------------

 

[Nora]

George says if its real, congratulations.
If it's April Fools, even more congratulations.

 

[SteveM]

For those wondering if P-G readership has drastically declined recently, this is a great way to find out. My understanding (Josh may even have been the source) is that 20mm would require breaking the hinge, so this must have been one monster oyster!

 

[Marianne]

Oh Josh, what an amazing story. Hope this is real... but have to admit, I was thinking April 1st even before I got to those postulating it might be a prank. Say it ain't so!

Marianne

 

[Caitlin]

For those wondering if P-G readership has drastically declined recently, this is a great way to find out. My understanding (Josh may even have been the source) is that 20mm would require breaking the hinge, so this must have been one monster oyster!

Who is wondering about a drastic decline in readership? Who has the statistics for that?

 

[Hanaleimom]

All of the pearls were garbage with the exception of this one SPECIMEN.

Un specimen de poisson?

 

[SteveM]

Who is wondering about a drastic decline in readership? Who has the statistics for that?

Just an off-hand comment based on the perception of reduced posting activity, not intended to sidetrack the thread. Admin would have the stats.

 

[Caitlin]

I am admin.

I checked Jan 1,2,3 for 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Number of individual users statistics are up in 2010, over the same period in 2009 and 2008, so readership is up.

Number of posts per day in 2010 is also up from 2009 and 2008 on the same days. There was a bubble period of more posts in late 2009 which dropped back by the end of the year, but not behind what it was before the bubble.

I have no statistics for the best April Fool's joke. Since we never did formalize the Pearlitzer Prizes, we can hand them out as individuals. I hereby proclaim Josh's to be one of the best ever. The Pearlitzer Prize for April Fool's to Josh Humbert. roll of drums, peal of trumpets.....

 

[jshepherd]

Come on Josh ... we all know what day it is!

 

[knotty panda]

I believe this is the bestest, goodest, fortune to come to Josh and I am SO PLEASED! But before you sell it to Daddy Warbucks, make sure you plan a round-the-world trip and show it to each and every one of us personally. We promise not to drool! (Ok, that's a lie. We will drool, but we will supply our own hankies.)

Sister garbage pearls from this harvest would make excellent gifts to us droolers so we can practice our pearl-pealing skills and see what we can come up. Lots of nacre to play with. You didn't put them in the wood chipper yet, did ya?