Found natural abalone pearl!

[Savlich]

Hello all I recently found this natural abalone pearl while at work and was wondering if it might be worth anything.
It weighs 17 grams and is 30mm x40mm and the width is 10mm tapering down to 5mm.

Thank you in advance and sorry about the big pics. I'm new.

 

[Caitlin]

Where the heck do you work?

That pearl is worth a lot- if you can find a buyer.

They are slow to sell because they have such high value placed on them. That one is great and someone should love it! $20 a carat is a low price, most good ones go for double that or more. 5 carats to a gram? I can't quite remember.....That one is retail could be worth a couple grand. You might get half the retail price. It may be worth less because the color is so soft. It is a Mexican or California abalone?

So far, buyers are hard to find for the asking prices. I have seen the same abalone pearls for sale by the venders who have had them for more than 3 years without selling.

Good luck!!

 

[pattye]

Hello Savlich,

Welcome to Pearl-Guide. That is one cool find! Pretty rare! What kind of work do you do? Can you reveal in what area of the country it was found? Yes, it will have some value; recommend you check our member list, contact Jnorris. He should be able to help you.

Does your picture accurately show the colors? Do you still have the shell?

We here at P-G love seeing photos of natural pearls, and all pearls, of course!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

It's not everyday you see abalone pearls compared to gold balls for size. It's a very nice find.

Was it found on an abalone farm? Sometimes these are found in aquaculture sites, which are not true naturals.

I agree with Caitlin though, the price range of this pearl could fetch $500 to $1500 depending on the buyer.

 

[Savlich]

thanks guys thanks for all the reply's and information!
We have an abalone precessing business in the far south east of Tasmania in Australia.
This particular abalone was caught on the south western side of the state so not a farmed one, the only reason i even found it was because the abalone itself died in our holding tanks and i have to shuck it out of the shell for freezing, i nearly threw it away thinking it was rubbish!.
The colour of the pearl in the picture is accurate as well but i dont have the shell anymore.
Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Savlich]

The pearl was formed on the actual abalone gut , it is not a pearl formed on the shell. Colour is silvery with green and pink mixed in.......