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Lot 299Y
Large and Fine Nacreous Saltwater Natural Pearl--"Abalone Pearl"
7 December 2016, 10:00 PST
Los AngelesUS$20,000 - US$30,000
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Large and Fine Nacreous Saltwater Natural Pearl--"Abalone Pearl"
Haliotis fulgens
Coastal waters of Baja, California Peninsula, Mexico
"The abalone pearl is one of the most beautiful and unusual of pearls.
It is one of the rarest...
The colors of the abalone pearl are rich and exotic...
The rarest and most highly prized offer rich peacock blue and green hues."
The Book of the Pearl, by George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932)
Abalone is a primitive univalve (one shell) mollusk at least thirty million years old. While it is often found close to the surface it may grow to depths of 30 meters, where seaweed grows in larger amounts—helping to nurture its colorful mother-of-pearl. The undulating grain in the shell is the result of seasonal fluctuations in the Abalone's diet. The dark organic material of the conchiolin layers is laid down during the winter months and the nacre, made up of aragonite and calcite crystals, is laid down in the warmer summer months.
The present offering is a drop-shaped pearl of classic form for abalone, suitable for mounting as a pendant. The pearl is distinguished by a fine iridescence and displaying a multitude of hues such as purple, violet, pink, peacock green, bronze which are surpassed only by its high degree of luster. Of very fine quality, it is free-standing and not a "blister" abalone pearl which was once attached to the shell. The exceptionally large size of this pearl renders it a particularly rare commodity in today's market. Weighing approximately 26.74 carats and measuring 32.84 x 17.81 x 9.91mm
Coastal waters of Baja, California Peninsula, Mexico
"The abalone pearl is one of the most beautiful and unusual of pearls.
It is one of the rarest...
The colors of the abalone pearl are rich and exotic...
The rarest and most highly prized offer rich peacock blue and green hues."
The Book of the Pearl, by George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932)
Abalone is a primitive univalve (one shell) mollusk at least thirty million years old. While it is often found close to the surface it may grow to depths of 30 meters, where seaweed grows in larger amounts—helping to nurture its colorful mother-of-pearl. The undulating grain in the shell is the result of seasonal fluctuations in the Abalone's diet. The dark organic material of the conchiolin layers is laid down during the winter months and the nacre, made up of aragonite and calcite crystals, is laid down in the warmer summer months.
The present offering is a drop-shaped pearl of classic form for abalone, suitable for mounting as a pendant. The pearl is distinguished by a fine iridescence and displaying a multitude of hues such as purple, violet, pink, peacock green, bronze which are surpassed only by its high degree of luster. Of very fine quality, it is free-standing and not a "blister" abalone pearl which was once attached to the shell. The exceptionally large size of this pearl renders it a particularly rare commodity in today's market. Weighing approximately 26.74 carats and measuring 32.84 x 17.81 x 9.91mm