I found this pearl in an Oyster while fishing in BC. info?

[MultiTwentyOne]

I found this in an oyster while fishing in BC. It's about 6mm long. I want to have it made into a little pendant for my girlfriend. I was told to have it certified. That costs $110. Is this thing worth certifying? Is it even worth $110? Any info would be appreciated. I'm pretty excited about my find!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Pearls from Japanese Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in British Columbia or Pacific NW are not rare but not common either. This one presents with a white satin lustre and teardrop shape.

Certification is only necessary if it's highly valued or questionable origin. I'm not certain this species is described as gem quality by the labs and there is always the question of farm reared oysters producing pearls deemed to be "cultured" in origin, despite limited intervention. Did you find this on the beach or in a restaurant? Cooked or raw?

A pendant is a nice idea. An often recommended idea for personal keepsakes. Avoid silver, because tarnish can stain pearls. It would make an alluring, dainty necklace in gold.

 

[MultiTwentyOne]

Thanks! I found this pearl on the beach in an oyster during low tide. The Oyster was alive when it was opened, so not cooked and not food. I see that you're in Tofino, so you probably know the area. I found it on Gabriola Island.

So not worth certifying?

 

[pattye]

What a nice find! And it is good it wasn't cooked!! Probably not worth enough to certify, but will be a lovely pendant and souvenir.

 

[Caitlin]

While that is one of the prettier food oyster pearls I have seen due to its shape, Dave is correct, it is not worth money, but it is rich in story-telling capacity! The forum gets about one person a month who encounters a food oyster pearl in a restaurant, but this is the first wild caught one remarked on in this forum!

Don't take the risk of getting it drilled, but have a jeweler set it something with prongs or even a little basket type thingy. You have a special gift from the ocean! Thank you for recording it for posterity here- and be sure to include this thread in your story! (wink)

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

I see that you're in Tofino, so you probably know the area. I found it on Gabriola Island.

Degnen Bay? That's where I found my first oyster pearl. That would have been in 1980.

 

[GemGeek]

Congratulations on finding a natural pearl. Caitlin is right, there are little cage pendants that open so you can pop the pearl inside.