Found in River in Mississippi Inside a Mussel

[MarieM]

Hello everyone! During a recent fishing trip my daughter found this pearl inside a mussel. She is very excited! Any thoughts and comments appreciated! Thank you.

 

[pattye]

MarieM,

That is quite a find, indeed! Lovely deep colors and a rather large pearl, too. Could make an interesting pendant!

 

[KAC]

I second that, very interesting color and BIG - great find.

 

[ShannonH]

Hi everyone! My name is Shannon and I found the pearl. Thank you for nice comments. My family and I were on just one of our regular weekend fishing and swimming trips on the river. It was so exciting to find an actual pearl. My 9 year old daughter was amazed. I think it's safe to say she and I had the "catch of the day" lol. We also saved the shell because it is very pretty. Thanks for posting our pearl mom! We love you.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Remarkable and lovely!

 

[GemGeek]

What a nice surprise! Welcome to both of you.

 

[pattye]

So glad to know you saved the shell also! I was afraid to ask.

 

[pattye]

Most of us will only dream of such an amazing find during our lifetime!

 

[Caitlin]

It has been many years since we had a report of a newly found freshwater pearl! This one is quite a good size, has fantastic color and is very beautiful in its unique shape. I hope you keep it and set it in jewelry. It is a rare treasure to find a freshwater pearl nowadays.

The last one reported to us, almost 8 years ago, was found by a 14 year boy, reported by his mom, then she said he gave it to his girlfriend, LOL! (or cry). DO NOT GIVE THIS AWAY! Or try to sell it. Keep and enjoy it for the rest of your life and pass it to your children as it will last for generations.

Thanks for posting here. We will keep this post and photo as a treasure and a reference for as long as this forum lasts. You can show it to your children!

On the other hand, people report finding a pearl in a food oyster almost every month! (food oyster pearls are usually a bit larger than a radish seed and are not nacreous).

 

[MarieM]

Thanks so very much to everyone for all the wonderful comments and warm welcome to this forum! My daughter, Shannon is so happy & proud of her find. She & I both have very much enjoyed reading everyone's comments.

Was a posting made within this forum for the pearl that was found by the boy about 8 years ago? If so, could someone please post a link to the posting?

Does anyone have any tips for care & storage?

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

On the other hand, people report finding a pearl in a food oyster almost every month! (food oyster pearls are usually a bit larger than a radish seed and are not nacreous).

Actually, ostrea are nacreous. Just not highly nacreous like their pearl oyster or mussel cousins. They tend to have thinner inter-lamellar proteins and higher concentrations of calcite, is all.

And I agree with everything and everyone else. This is a rare find, especially from fresh water. The colors are wonderful, the size is tremendous and the shape presents natural in origin.

The OP's family has taken great delight in finding this and it's a treasure to behold.

As far as care and storage goes, leave it as is. Store it out of light. Clean it only with fresh, filtered, not heavily chlorinated water. Wrap it in a soft cotton cloth or put it in a silk bag, not plastic or paper.

 

[Marianne]

That pearl is such a beautiful treasure. Dave, do you think it would be safe for it to be fitted with a custom bail and worn on occasion?

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

That pearl is such a beautiful treasure. Dave, do you think it would be safe for it to be fitted with a custom bail and worn on occasion?

Absolutely! Wired, wrapped or bezels sure, but I'd be reluctant to drill or glue even though it appears to have strong structure.

With clean hands, this could be handled often. Handling, setting or photographing naturals, especially tiny ones is terrific, but kind of scary for fear of upsetting the tray and losing them to scatter.

It's not often you see a pearl that can be fondled too. I know I'd be toying with it!

 

[GemGeek]

Pearl fondling - It's nice to know I'm not the only one!

 

[LitGeek]

Pearl fondling - It's nice to know I'm not the only one!

Haha, that is too funny!

What a treasure! Congrats on your amazing find and I hope you get to enjoy it for many years to come!

 

[BAS]

Ah, that's what you call what I was doing last night before I went to bed. I was "pearl fondling" my Fire Goddess while looking at her with admiring eyes. We are quite a strange subculture -- I'm glad to found others...

 

[Marianne]

Gee whiz, and here I thought pearl fondling was a totally normal daily activity

 

[Amrita]

Congratulations on your find! What an amazing color!!!

 

[Happy Huku]

An amazing day fishing! What a beauty, congratulations and enjoy!

 

[CLICLASP]

Amazing, you said you kept the shell, could make a photo with the shell ? t
The shape and color are amazing for a mussel, the shape makes me think of a one valve shell (like snails don't know the name)
and the reddish color is incredible, do Mississipi mussels have such a mother of pearl color?