What is this?!

[Jlt86]

I found this in an oyster at dinner last night. Unattached to the shell. What is it?!

 

[pattye]

Welcome Jlt86 and congratulations! You've found a pearl of sorts! Was the oyster cooked? These don't have the same value as a pearl composed of nacre, but makes for a great story!

 

[Jlt86]

Thank you, pattye!! Yes, unfortunately it was a charbroiled oyster! I don’t really know anything about pearls, which is why I resorted to this forum. Did the heat basically ruin the pearl?

 

[pattye]

It doesn't appear to be ruined, and the color is interesting. There are little cages made to display small round items so you could put it on a chain or bracelet. This is just a sample of what is available at one jewelry supply store. Drilling might cause it to break.

A great conversation piece!

 

[BWeaves]

The oysters grown for food are not the same type of mollusk used to grown gem pearls. You have a pearl, but it's not a gem. It's a bit like sheep. Some are raised for meat, and some are raised to provide beautiful wool. You can't get both good meat and good wool from the same breed of sheep.


Cool story on how you found it. I second getting a little cage to put it in if you'd like to wear it.