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Unaware of its potential worth, a fisherman hid a 34-kilogram (75-pound) pearl under his bed for 10 years. It has since been turned over to officials who say it could be the biggest natural giant clam pearl in the world.

Fisherman discovers what could be world's biggest pearl


Leeanna McLean
Digital Reporter

Thursday, August 25, 2016, 8:46 PM - Unaware of its potential worth, a fisherman hid a 34-kilogram (75-pound) pearl under his bed for 10 years. It has since been turned over to officials who say it could be the biggest natural giant clam pearl in the world.

The precious item measures 30 centimetres (1 foot) wide and 67 centimetres (2.2 feet) long and could have a value of more than $100 million.

It was first discovered off Palawan Island in the Philippines after the fisherman's anchor became lodged on a giant clam. While tucked away for years, the family would often rub the pearl with their hands for good luck before going out to sea.


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Ten years later the man decided to give the pearl to a relative by the name of Aileen Amurao, who is also Puerto Princesa city's tourism officer. It remained on a bench in Amurao's home for weeks until one day while surfing the internet, she learned it could break a world record.

Amurao, the fisherman and his family then turned the pearl over to the city mayor, who had it displayed in a glass case at New Green City Hall in Puerto Princesa to attract tourists. 

Gemologists have yet to authenticate the enormous jewel, although experts from the University of the Philippines have expressed interest in inspecting it. 



An unspecified reward will be given to the fisherman by the local government as he never intended to sell it, according to Amurao.

Palawan island is no stranger to giant pearls.

In 1939, the Pearl of the King was found in Palawan at 9 kilograms (20 pounds). Meanwhile, a 718.50 carat baroque abalone pearl is listed by the Guinness World Records as the biggest of its kind, measuring 14 centimetres in length, 8 centimetres wide and 4 centimetres thick.

SOURCE: The Associated Press

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