14 replies to this topic

[Still Waters]

Quote

A gigantic oyster fossil that was accidentally trawled up by fishermen is to be MRI-scanned to see if it contains an enormous pearl.

The prehistoric mollusc is more than 100million years old and is ten times bigger than a regular oyster shell.

It was hauled up in the Solent and found in the nets of the trawler boat when it returned to port.

After layers of mud were washed off, it was clear the item was a huge fossilised shell that measured seven inches wide and three inches thick.

http://www.dailymail...gest-pearl.html

[ThePhantomFlanFlinger]

Id love to see someone try to swallow that down whole....

[Old Man Waffles]

I WANT THAT PEARL ON A NECKLACE.

[Paracelse]

Insightful Waffles, on 07 June 2012 - 03:24 PM, said:

I WANT THAT PEARL ON A NECKLACE.

Women pfuiiiiiiiiiii

[cenobite]

Ive given a few pearl necklace's in my time

[pallidin]

How can something that's a secretion over an irritant be valuable?
Oh wait, I forgot about amber.

[Troublehalf]

Not only will the oyster be shut solid, anything inside will be inedible.....

If there is a gem inside, it will be the biggest jewellery worthy pearl in the world. There are two types, iridescent (which means rainbow coloured/flux) and ones like the Pearl of Allah which is technically a pearl but is not used in jewellery due to it not having the iridescent (by not being covered in Mother of Pearl) and also being ugly anyway. Pearl of Allah is 14lb (Shame America uses this system, it's outdated and stupid) which is 6350g (6.35kg)... This one could make a great centre gem for a necklace or a ring or something. Wonder if it'll be sold or donated somewhere.

[pallidin]

I agree. The Pearl of Allah, in the pic I saw, is one ugly piece of oyster vomit.
$60 million? I wouldn't give 60 cents.

[Likely Guy]

So which came first, the oyster or the pearl?

[Englishgent]

Just a couple of things here.
Firsty, only one in a thousand (approx) oysters contains a pearl so the chances of this fossil having one are slim.
Secondly, if there was a pearl inside, then I doubt it would be in very good condition having undergone fossilisation.  I could be wrong on this one.  Still be worth something though

In answer to Palladin, Amber is not really a secretion over an irritant, unless you could call a break, fracture or cut in the tree's bark (which allowed the secretion of sap millioins of years ago which then formed amber)  But I am sure you know this already

[Shrine Builder]

I can't be the only one that thinks it's wrong to crack the oyster open.  I mean, christ, it's 100 millions years old.  Keep it preserved.

[Likely Guy]

Shrine Builder, on 09 June 2012 - 02:53 AM, said:

I can't be the only one that thinks it's wrong to crack the oyster open.  I mean, christ, it's 100 millions years old.  Keep it preserved.

I agree. After all, it's totally inedible. Then again, I find fresh oysters gross.Unless, of course there's copious amounts of butter and garlic involved. But, then again, considering the oyster is 100 million y.o., there isn't enough butter and garlic in the world.Tough call.

[csspwns]

why are pearls worth so much? imo amber should be worth more cuz its pretty ;)

[Englishgent]

csspwns, on 09 June 2012 - 03:58 AM, said:

why are pearls worth so much? imo amber should be worth more cuz its pretty

I agree. I have never liked pearls but I love amber, specially with an insect embedded inside. It is much nicer to look at too.
Actually, amber is probably worth more than cultured/fram pearls, whcih are still natural pearls except that an irritant is introduced in order to form a pearl whereas what I would call 'real' pearls are much harder to find hence the higher price.

[Lava_Lady]

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Pearl of Allah is 14lb (Shame America uses this system, it's outdated and stupid) which is 6350g (6.35kg)... This one could make a great centre gem for a necklace or a ring or something. Wonder if it'll be sold or donated somewhere.

Who, in their right mind, would want to wear a 14lb pearl as a center gem for a necklace or ring or anything?  I dont think even Mr. T would want something like that.