a blister pearl on a common turle limpet

[tito]

last week I have found a blister pearl on a common turtle limpet on the Okinawa islands in japan.
doing some research I have yet to come across any information regarding pearls on that type of limpet, or any other limpet for that matter. being a univalve shell of that shape, seems to make the formation of pearls very rare, in fact one Japanese expert who I have contact has told me he has never heard/seen any pearls formation on a limpet before.
if you do have any photos or information regarding this type of pearl please inform me, also last but least if it is as rare as I think, does it have monetary value as a collector piece, for either pearl or shell collectors..

p.s I misspelled the title.. should be written as a common turtle limpet

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Hi Tito, and welcome to P-G.

I'm always excited to see pearls and blisters in never before identified species.

Your sample is what's known as an anomaly of the extrapallial space, which is the space between the mantle skirt and the shell itself. Virtually anything inadvertently caught in this space, whether a parasite, piece of shell or grain of sand can cause this effect. There is evidence of other smaller blisters in there as well.

It's collectable as a curiosity or scientific example, but not valuable in monetary terms.

Is there a mark on the external part of the shell? Sometimes annelids (sea worms) or gastropods (sea snails) can drill through shells which confirm parasitical origins. Otherwise, it's likely a foreign object that made it's way through the soft tissue of the mantle.

 

[tito]

thank you Dave.

The shell does not seem to have any scratches, holes in the back, so I guess it is the latter.

I have one collector all ready interested in that piece, and I am still contemplating what to do with it..
Having no value as jewelry I understand, how can I go about defining the value of a very rare piece in case a collector shows interest?

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Having no value as jewelry I understand, how can I go about defining the value of a very rare piece in case a collector shows interest?

Here at P-G we are wary of applying value to items because we rarely have all the information or the objects available to us for analysis.

Our best advice would be to suggest that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if they offer something suitable for your efforts, then it's a good deal.

I have dozens of shells from rare species with blisters and most are not worth more than a few dollars apiece to the average person. They are worth much more to me in scientific and educational value.