Big Pearls Found in Palawan Philippines

[MadulaVallespin]

Hello,

I wanted to know how to go about getting some pearls appraised. I did some research on the biggest pearl in the world found in Palawan Philippines, and so it intrigued me. I am a US citizen, that has some businesses in the Philippines which utilizes boats so I figured I would go search myself. My workers were doing stuff in Palawan and I asked if they can specifically look for clams that would produce pearls. They said they knew of a hotbed for them and were able to retrieve me 3 fist sized pearls initially, and I have a few huge unopened clams. Please see the attached. I was wondering where I can get them appraised. The person opening the clams is my worker, and this is what we pulled out of the 3 clams. The Clams I have know are even bigger than the one I originally pulled. Also I am in the US, so not sure if I can just bring them here no problem. I leave for the Philippines in 2 weeks and plan to bring them back God willing. Any help with appraisal, and bringing them here would be such a blessing!

Thank You,
Kenny

 

[GemGeek]

The wavy one in the second photo looks like it was carved from shell and not a blister pearl at all. These kinds of accretions may or may not have much value, based on how much was attached to the shell, how much they were carved or polished, and if they are attractive. The stories you have read give vastly inflated values. You can try contacting an auction house. Bonham's has a natural history auction that might be interested. And yes, they may not let you bring them into the United States as the Tridacna Gigas shell is a protected species. They could be seized.

It's easy to see why they are a protected species.

 

[Ramona]

It infuriates me that people just go and kill protected species solely for profit. In particular if they do not even have any knowledge about the product they trying to retrieve. Here I said it. You should be ashamed.

 

[MadulaVallespin]

Thank you for your opinion

Thank you for your opinion

It infuriates me that people just go and kill protected species solely for profit. In particular if they do not even have any knowledge about the product they trying to retrieve. Here I said it. You should be ashamed.

Hi Ramona...I am not ashamed but I respect your post and your passion. I will do more research. If it is a protected species, I am not aware of it, but I will do some research on it before we proceed with anything.

 

[Cees]

to me it looks like a Tridacna Giga shell which is CITES protected. The the harbour of Puerto Galera there are a number of them and a small boat with a guard is protecting them.
So please do not instruct Filipino's to go and find them for you

 

[dmj]

im actually 100% with ramona on this one you don't need to be a genius finding out these are protected and should be left alone

when i started buying pearls i would just buy every pearls i could find however in the last years i started to just buy old collections and to find out where pearls came from specially with clam species.
There are quite some clams not protected that produce pearls however tridacna gigas is not one of them there are not that many left and its not up to us to kill the last ones out there

 

[AMc]

Not good, not good! Tridacna is an endangered species- Customs will most likely seize any pearls or shells you try to take with you, and if you continue to willfully pluck them from the water you could face legal action. Giant Clams are a wonder of and for the world. Please, Leave the rest of them alone for future generations.