Throughout history, pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty. Some of the largest and most incredible pearls ever found have become famous for their immense size and value. The search for the world’s biggest natural pearl has driven both intrigue and competition among collectors, historians, and gemologists alike. So where can you find record-setting giants like the Pearl of Lao Tzu or the Pearl of Allah, and what stories lie behind these legendary jewels?
What is the largest pearl ever found?
The largest known pearl in existence is the Pearl of Lao Tzu, sometimes referred to as the Pearl of Laozi. This mammoth gem was discovered off the coast of Palawan Island in the Philippines in 1934.
| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| Weight | 14 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Length | 9.45 inches (24 cm) |
| Width | 5.9 inches (15 cm) |
As you can see, the Pearl of Lao Tzu lives up to its legendary status with its mammoth proportions. At 24cm long and weighing 6.4 kg, it holds the clear record for largest pearl ever found.
This pearl’s immense size is even more surprising when you consider that it came from a giant clam species that typically produces pearls no bigger than a few centimeters wide. For a gem with the heft of a small boulder to form within a mollusk is an exceptionally rare anomaly.
Other contenders for the largest pearls include:
– The Pearl of Allah (14 lbs, 7.9 inches long)
– Pearl of the Philippines (4 lbs, 2 ounces)
– The Pearl of Puerto (55 carats)
– The Hope Pearl (1800 carats)
However, none surpass the Pearl of Lao Tzu’s mammoth measurements. This makes it unequivocally the biggest natural pearl ever discovered.
The story behind the Pearl of Lao Tzu
The Pearl of Lao Tzu has an origin story befitting of its mythical size and name. According to legend, the pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver named Julian Canudo in 1934.
Canudo spotted a giant clam while free diving off the coast of Palawan. Inside this clam he found an enormous pearl the size of a coconut. Locals were astonished when he presented his discovery, which they took to be a sign of good fortune.
As word of the discovery drew attention, the pearl passed through various owners until a wealthy Filipino nobleman purchased it. This nobleman shared a name with Laozi, the ancient Chinese philosopher who founded Taoism. Thus the pearl gained its current moniker linking it to the legendary figure.
The pearl remained in the Philippines for over a decade. In the late 1930s, it was purchased by Wilburn Cobb, an American gem trader. He smuggled the pearl out of the Philippines believing (erroneously) that it was illegal to export large pearls.
Cobb spent decades promoting and exhibiting the Pearl of Lao Tzu, boasting of its record size and spinning tall tales of danger and skulduggery regarding his acquisition of it. He even published a sensational memoir titled “The Little Red Book of the Travels and Tribulations of the Pearl of Great Price”.
After passing through several other owners, the pearl was eventually purchased by Peter Hoffman and Victor Barbish in 1979. It was displayed at Victor’s Jewels in New York for a number of years.
Today the Pearl of Lao Tzu resides in the vaults of a private collector in the Philippines, returning to its homeland after decades abroad. Its immense size and mythical backstory have cemented its status as the most famous pearl in the world.
Other Notable Giant Pearls
While the Pearl of Lao Tzu has held onto its record as the very largest, a number of other mammoth gems have made their mark in history:
The Pearl of Allah
This enormous pearl weighs 14 lbs (6.3 kg) and measures 7.9 inches long x 3.3 inches wide (20cm x 9cm). It was discovered in the early 20th century by a diver in the waters between the Philippines and Borneo.
According to legend, the diver drowned soon after finding the pearl and it remained at the bottom of the ocean for 40 years. Eventually, another giant clam grew over the pearl, keeping it hidden until 1959 when a tribe of sea gypsies discovered it.
The pearl changed hands numerous times and was even involved in a few attempted robberies over the following decades. Today it resides in the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum after Robert Ripley purchased and verified its authenticity in the 1980s.
Pearl of Puerto
This phenomenally round pearl weighs in at 75 carats (15 grams) and measures nearly 2.75 inches (7cm) in diameter. It was fished from the waters off Puerto del Rey Marina in the Philippines.
The Pearl of Puerto’s near-perfect shape and glowing luster have dazzled gemologists and collectors alike. It was certified by the Gemological Institute of America as the world’s largest nearly perfect pearl in shape and luster.
Hope Pearl
Discovered in the Persian Gulf in the early 20th century, the Hope Pearl weighs an astounding 1800 carats (360 grams). It measures 4.5 inches long x 3.5 inches wide (115mm x 89mm).
This natural pearl has a silver-white color and tadpole-like shape. It was eventually gifted to the Smithsonian by a private collector and is now on display at the National Museum of Natural History. The Hope Pearl is considered one of the largest natural pearls known to exist.
Pearl of the Philippines
Weighing in at 14.5 ounces (4 lbs, 2 oz), this aptly named pearl came from the giant clam beds off Mindanao island. It has dimensions of 4.45 inches x 2.76 inches (113mm x 70mm).
The Pearl of the Philippines has a rare flame pattern on its nacreous surface, adding to its uniqueness. After passing through the hands of various collectors, the pearl was donated to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum where it is still on exhibit today.
Pearl of Asia
This giant gem was discovered in 2008 by a fisherman from Mindoro, Philippines, tucked inside a giant clam. It weighs 8.7 ounces (247 grams) and measures 6.4 inches long x 2.4 inches wide (163 x 61 mm).
Certified by the GIA, the pearl has been praised for its unusually clean surface and mesmerizing luster. In its short history, it has already fetched $100,000 at auction after being purchased by a San Francisco jeweler.
Conclusion
The Pearl of Lao Tzu remains firmly perched atop the list as the largest known pearl in the world, both in dimensions and weight. Its mammoth size earns it rightful legendary status. Yet a number of other extraordinary gems have made their mark by approaching the Pearl of Lao Tzu’s proportions or showcasing incredible beauty.
Whether it be the Pearl of the Philippines with its fiery pattern or the hope pearl’s immaculate silver shine, these giants of the sea inspire awe and fascination. The stories behind their discovery evoke dreams of finding treasure and unlocking maritime secrets. And given that the ocean still hides so many mysteries, perhaps someday another pearl will arrive to rival even the Pearl of Lao Tzu for the largest natural pearl in history.