A fisherman from the Philippines has revealed he kept a massive pearl under his bed for ten years, which might be the largest natural pearl ever discovered.
The pearl, measuring 30cm wide, 67cm long, and weighing 34kg, was found by a man from Puerto Princesa while he was fishing over a decade ago. If experts confirm that it formed inside a giant clam, it could make him extremely wealthy.
Reports suggest he discovered the pearl when his boat’s anchor got stuck on a giant clam, forcing him to dive in and free it. He decided to keep the pearl as a good luck charm, storing it under his bed.
A fisherman in the Philippines found a pearl weighing 34 kg and estimated around $100 million. Not knowing its value, the pearl was kept under his bed for 10 years as a good luck charm.
This is the kind of luck i need pic.twitter.com/spaRbUuqRR
— Ashandy (@AshandyTemi) September 26, 2024
When he moved to another area, he handed the pearl to his aunt, Aileen Cynthia Maggay-Amurao, a local tourism officer. She brought the pearl to the attention of experts for authentication and valuation.
Maggay-Amurao shared, “He brought it to me because it’s quite heavy.” She added that they are now seeking expert verification to determine its value. Preliminary research has not found any records of a pearl of this size.
The man reportedly touched the pearl for luck before every fishing trip. If confirmed to be from a giant clam, the pearl’s value could exceed $100 million, potentially making the fisherman a multimillionaire.
A fisherman in Philippine found a perl weighing 34kg and estimated around $100 million. Not knowing it’s value, the pearl was kept under his bed for 10 years as a good luck charm. pic.twitter.com/jQxmjmynHT
— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) September 27, 2024
Currently, with the man’s consent, the pearl is on display at New Green City Hall in Puerto Princesa, provided to the mayor, Lucilo R Bayon, as a tourist attraction. Maggay-Amurao has called on Facebook experts for help, stating, “The Puerto Princesa City could earn another prestigious title and break records with the world’s biggest natural giant pearl from a giant clam (34 kilograms) after certification.”
She urged local residents to spread the word, and her post has been shared thousands of times. If authenticated, this pearl would surpass the current record-holder, the Pearl of Lao Tzu, found by a diver from Brooke’s Point in Palawan in 1939, weighing 6.4kg.
In 2003, Michael Steenrod, a gemologist from Colorado Springs, valued the Pearl of Lao Tzu at $93 million. This new find, almost 30kg heavier, could set a new benchmark.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Cnet reports a Filipino fisherman kept a potentially $100 million pearl under his bed for 10 years as a good luck charm before it was handed over to authorities for authentication.(read more)
- Daily Sabah reports a Philippine fisherman hid a 34kg pearl under his bed for a decade, unaware of its $100 million value, now on public display for assessment by gemmologists.(read more)
- The Guardian reports on a Filipino fisherman who kept a 34 kg natural pearl, potentially worth $100 million, under his bed for 10 years before handing it in for authentication.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Where did the fisherman find the giant pearl?
He found it in the sea near Puerto Princesa, Philippines.
How much does the giant pearl weigh?
What did the fisherman do with the pearl initially?
He kept it under his bed as a good luck charm.
Who is helping to authenticate the pearl?
Aileen Cynthia Maggay-Amurao, a local tourism officer, is seeking experts to authenticate it.
How much could the pearl be worth if authenticated?
It could be valued in excess of $100 million.
