Found a pearl in the oyster!

[pachan]

My bf brought me to a steakhouse on Valentine's day,
we ordered some oysters, and found a pearl in one.
We thought it was something else, but we confirmed it with our waiter it is a pearl.
He said it's a very rare in finding a pearl in the oysters they serve because their oysters are fresh from ocean.

I sent an email to the restaurant hoping to know what kind of oysters they served on that day,
but they haven't replied yet.

I just want to know, if anyone here know what kind of pearl is this?
And how much does it worth? I ain't going to sell it but I'm only curious.

Thanks everyone

 

[Caitlin]

That is a real pearl from a food oyster. Pearl oysters are completely different.

The kind of pearl you found is very rare, though worth only the story involved. Perhaps you can put it in a tiny display box and get it out when you tell the story. You will probably never meet anyone else who has found one, though we hear of one at least once a month. This month you are the second one we have heard of, but these are stories from all over the world.

Enjoy your unique find and have fun telling people you actually found a real pearl in an oyster!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

It's wet, but I'd like to see another picture after it dried.

If they are found raw, as they were here, there is a small chance the pearl will have a (thick enough) nacreous surface. Normally, they become quite chalky in appearance, but this one presents with a bright lustre and near-round shape.

Even if it falls short of gem quality, it's a really nice example of a natural pearl. An adventure, a treasure, a tale.

 

[pattye]

Last week at Michael's craft store I saw the cutest little glass vials with a cork top that would be perfect for a tiny pearl like this!

 

[pachan]

Hi thanks for your response. I sent an email to the steakhouse and they replied saying the oysters are fresh from the ocean of Vancouver island, it might be Kusshi or Sawmill Bay. But I've heard people finding pearl in the oyster over years, I didn't know it was that rare. And now it makes it more special to my bf and I because we found it on Valentine's day!

 

[pachan]

Hi Dave, I've attached 2 pictures of the pearl when it's dried.
Thanks!

 

[Sea Urchin]

Finding a pearl in an oyster on a romantic Valentine's Day dinner. Wow!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Hi Dave, I've attached 2 pictures of the pearl when it's dried.
Thanks!

I am from Vancouver Island and this pearl is typical, but a little nicer than most I have seen. Only a couple of days ago, we discussed pearls from Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas).

The oysters you had were likely shipped from Fanny Bay or Mac's Oysters, (the major dealers) who buy oysters from the farmers by the tonne. Shells that are too thin, too large or otherwise conglomerated get shucked at the plant and sold by the gallon. The shuckers will find one or two a week and some have considerable collections, but the overall gem quality tends to be low. You will occasionally find pieces made from the more extraordinary ones. Your's would make a nice pendant or ring and you'll have a wonderful keepsake.