The largest pearl in the world is a far cry from the pearls you might have sitting in your jewelry box. Worth millions of dollars and easily weighing in at the size of a small child, the world’s largest pearls are truly impressive.
However, defining the largest pearls in the world can be tricky due to the various categories of pearls. Additionally, new pearls are continually changing ranks after their discoveries.
What You Will Learn
What is the Biggest Pearl in the World?
Despite all the differentiators that one could use to distinguish one world’s largest pearl from another, there’s one largest pearl in the world that stands out from all the rest: the Giga Pearl.
The pearl touts GIA authentication as the world’s largest certified natural blister pearl. The natural pearl weighs in at 27.65 kg (61.0 lbs or 975 oz) and measures 39.37 cm x 22.86 cm x 20.95 cm (15.5 in x 9 in x 8.25 in).
The Giga Pearl is owned by a pearl and antiquities collector in Canada, Abraham Reyes. Reyes’ great aunt, a collector of Asian artifacts, was the previous owner of the Giga Pearl and has been a treasure for this family for quite some time. This aunt received the Giga Pearl as a gift from another family member, as part of the pasalubong custom in Filipino culture, which dictates that travelers must bring gifts to their family members/friends after a journey. In this case, the gift was a giant clam and the Giga Pearl.
Other Largest Pearls in the World
So what about some of the other largest pearls in the world? Other pearls that have laid claim to the title at some point include:
- The Centaur Pearl
- The Burma Pearl
- The Abalone Pearl
- The Pearl of Asia
- The Arco Valley Pearl
- The Hope Pearl
- La Peregrina Pearl
- The Pearl of Puerto
- The Pearl of Lao Tzu/The Pearl of Allah
Here’s how a few of these stand out.
The Pearl of Lao Tzu/The Pearl of Allah
The Pearl of Allah, which weighs 6.4 kilograms, or 14.2 pounds, can hardly match the massive size of the Giga Pearl. However, it was still considered the world’s largest at one point. It is still the subject of controversy.
The pearl first came to the public’s attention after a magazine story ran a very fanciful recount of an archaeologist attempting to buy it from a Philippine tribal chief. The chief only acquiesced after the archaeologist saved the chief’s son’s life. The same archaeologist spread other stories about the pearl being grown over millennia, raging wars over it until a storm took it, and then later found by a Philippine diver (who supposedly gave the pearl to the aforementioned tribal chief).
Whatever the pearl’s true origin, in 1979, the new owner bought it for $200,000. In the 1990s, the owner used the pearl as loan collateral. It is currently involved in related legal matters. The current appraisal value of this non-nacreous pearl ranges from $35 million to $93 million.
The Pearl of Puerto
The Pearl of Puerto measures longer and wider than the Giga Pearl and weighs more. However, it’s not considered the world’s largest pearl because it is unauthenticated. The pearl is on display in Puerto Princesa, the Philippines.
The La Peregrina Pearl
While the La Peregrina Pearl is large, it’s no longer the definitive largest pearl in the world, as it was upon discovery. However, it is still one of the largest perfectly symmetrical pear-shaped pearls in the world.
The pearl’s history stretches back centuries, as mentioned in documents dating back to the 1500s. It has been owned by Spanish royalty and modern-day royalty as well, with Elizabeth Taylor among its owners. The pearl has been on display with the Smithsonian and featured in settings from Cartier.
Most recently, in 2011, the pearl was sold to a private buyer in a diamond Cartier setting as part of Elizabeth Taylor’s collection for $11 million at Christie’s.
The Arco Valley Pearl
Like the Pearl of Allah, the Arco Valley Pearl has several tall tales. One of them involves Khubilai Khan giving the pearl to Marco Polo. The natural blister baroque pearl was once considered the largest natural pearl to exist outside of a museum setting.
Largest Pearl in World FAQs
Who Owns the Biggest Pearl in the World?
The Giga Pearl is owned by Abraham Reyes, a natural pearl and antiquities collector in Canada. Reyes’ family has an incredible rank of avid collectors. The pearl was previously owned by Reyes’ aunt, a major collector of Asian artifacts.
Who Decided that the Giga Pearl was the “Biggest Pearl” in the World?
There are many claims to the title “biggest pearl in the world.” However, the GIA has approved this oversized natural blister pearl, making it the official world’s largest certified natural blister pearl.
How was the Giga Pearl Formed?
The Giga Pearl was formed inside a giant clam. When natural pearls form within giant clams, the clams can easily reach more than 500 pounds in weight. The clams can be found in the Indian Ocean and West Pacific Ocean from Thailand to Micronesia.
What are the Largest Pearls that the Average Person Can Buy?
Most of us lack the jewelry budget for oversized pearls like the Giga Pearl or the Pearl of Allah. For the average consumer searching for large pearls, look to White and Golden South Sea pearls for a larger size, usually 9.0–17.0 mm.
What are the Most Expensive Pearls in the World?
If you’re just talking about pearls that the average consumer might buy, and not pearls worth millions like the Giga Pearl, the most expensive would be White and Golden South Sea pearls, some of the largest pearls available to average consumers.
Protect Your Pearls
You might not be able to afford a Giga Pearl, but whatever pearl jewelry you purchase, protect it with the right jewelry insurance.
BriteCo offers comprehensive jewelry insurance covering your prized pieces in loss, theft, damage, or mysterious disappearance. Whether your pearl pops out of its setting, stayed behind on your latest trip, or a favorite necklace had an unfortunate accident or disaster causing damage, specialized jewelry insurance steps in when other forms of insurance — like travel insurance or renters’ insurance — won’t.
Learn more and get your quick quote now.
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Men’s Pearl Necklace: Everything You Need To Know
Different Pearl Colors: A Quick Guide
How to Tell if Pearls Are Real
What are Cultured Pearls?
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