Property of Various Owners
Conch Pearl
Strombus gigas or "Queen Conch"
Caribbean Sea
A conch is one of a number of different species of medium-sized to large saltwater snails and their shells. True conchs are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Strombidae, and the most well known species is the "Strombus gigas or "Queen Conch". The pearls they produce are calcareous concretions—that is they are non-nacreous and are made up of calcium carbonate (rather than aragonite which is the composition of nacreous pearls).
Several thousand snails would have to be found in order to recover a pearl as fine—and as large—as this one. Of ovoid form, with deep rose color, the present lustrous pearl has an excellent flame pattern iridescence.
Weighing 7.70 carats and measuring 11.5 x 9.2 x 7.5mm
Caribbean Sea
A conch is one of a number of different species of medium-sized to large saltwater snails and their shells. True conchs are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Strombidae, and the most well known species is the "Strombus gigas or "Queen Conch". The pearls they produce are calcareous concretions—that is they are non-nacreous and are made up of calcium carbonate (rather than aragonite which is the composition of nacreous pearls).
Several thousand snails would have to be found in order to recover a pearl as fine—and as large—as this one. Of ovoid form, with deep rose color, the present lustrous pearl has an excellent flame pattern iridescence.
Weighing 7.70 carats and measuring 11.5 x 9.2 x 7.5mm
Sold for
US$ 10,625
inc. premium
Category: Natural History
Auction terms and conditions
Contacts
Claudia Florian
Bonhams
Work
7601 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles,
90046
United States
WorkTel:
+1 323 436 5437
FaxFax: +1 323 850 5843
Auction Administration
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Natural History
