Rare pearl could make Guinness Book

[Caitlin]

As this article noted, Wes Rankin is the owner of the current Guinness record holders.

Rare pearl to make Guinness Book

Photos by Keri Wood - This Abalone pearl, rated at 718.50 carats by the Gemological Institute of America, may be a new Guinness Book record.



Abalone ?horn? pearl measures 718 carats

By Katie Freeman - Lifestyle & Arts Reporter

Published: Friday, November 26, 2010 2:44 PM PST
Peter Truong is not a treasure hunter, but a rare abalone pearl is what the Elk Grove resident uncovered on his annual diving trip to Mendocino this past summer.

Truong and his wife have been vacationing in Mendocino every summer for the past 10 years. His wife, Lily enjoys the sun while Peter dives 10-15 feet in the water with only a snorkel and mask to uncover abalone and eat the meat inside.

This past Memorial Day, Truong knew he had found something special when he pried open one of the three abalone shells he collected from the ocean floor.

?I knew it was special,? he said. ?You don?t see that often.?

Truong is attempting to register the abalone pearl with the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest natural abalone pearl.

The current record is for a 469.13 carat baroque abalone pearl found at Salt Point State Park in California in May 1990, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It is owned by Wesley Rankin and named ?Big Pink.?

Truong?s pearl was measured by the Gemological Institute of America at 718 carats. Truong said he?s yet to name his pearl, but notes that his family?s been calling it a horn because of its shape.

?The color is so beautiful,? he said of its iridescent blue-green color.

Abalone pearls cannot be manufactured, notes a letter from the Guinness World Record Limited. Abalone is fairly common, however they rarely produce pearls.

Truong?s son Anthony has been helping his father complete the nine steps necessary to submit this possible new record, and also researching information about abalone pearls.

?Apparently they?re really popular in Australia and New Zealand,? Anthony said. ?They are made into jewelry.?

To get the pearl listed in the Guinness Book of Records they have to go through a nine-step process and collect the following: a cover letter, two witness statements or signed affidavits by public notary, independent corroboration in the form of media coverage, video footage of the record attempt, high quality color photographs, log books, official statements and measurements.

So far they?ve completed about half of the requirements, his son said.

Truong is registering his find under his birth name, Dat Vi Truong.