I found a small,black purple pearl in a quahog years ago while making chowder. I kept it,although I felt it had no value. How can I find out if it does?

I also have a small purple pearl that my grandmother found in a clam. It's nowhere near the size of a marble, but I too would like to if mine is worth anything.

I also have a guahog pearl that is 11.68 millimeters that was found in Duxbury, Mass. I have contacted Antoinette Matlins of Woodstock, Vt. who is a pearl expert. I expect to hear back from her shortly

I am a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America and have been in the business of jewelry and gemology for my entire life. Please don't be mislead...the article says this pearl brooch is expected to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars (which i believe to be possible) and maybe as much as $1million. The basis for this projection is the size, color, luster(shininess), & uniformity (of color and shape)as well as all the publicity the particular piece is receiveing now. Don't forget that it is also in 18k gold with enamel and small diamonds as well as being a period piece from the 19th century. Pearls like this ARE rare however NOT ALL are valuable. Be aware that the beauty (and value therefore) are effected if you have found your "pearl" in a COOKED quahog. Would you stick your mother's cultured pearls in an oven? It ruins them. Ms Richards pearl, in the comment above, if it is of good shape, luster and color, is most likely a quite valuable item. If you are interested in putting your pearl in jewelry find a good LAPIDARY to drill it (the best way to mount the pearl)...the pearl is fragile and the cooked type are very chalky. You will most likely be given no guarantee that your piece will not break during drilling.

hi we too found a pearl about 12years ago in onset mass very nice bell shaped 11carots 12mm/11mm thank you

I to have a quahog black pearl. Where can I go in the New Bedford are to find out it's value ??

Last week I found a pearl in a RI quahog. How do I find out if its of any value?

I have a small purple pearl, or think it's a pearl, that I found in a shucked littleneck clam. It's nowhere near the size of a marble, Where would I find information on its authenticity and value?

has anybody found out any information about the pearls i contacted antoinette matlins but never got back to me thank you

Where Can I find the value of a quahog pearl I have. Took it to a local jeweler and they said they couldn't put a price on it, on was very rare.
I live in New Bedford, MA area.

We have a black (purple pearl) from a quahog. What is its worth or how can we find out?

I, too, have a quahog pearl that my father shucked in the 50's. He had it mounted,and it is about the size of a dime, and about 1/2 inch thick. Any idea where we can all get some help on these pearls???

mine is bigger 15 carats 3 grams

mine is bigger 15 carats

hi maybe we all can getogether to meet and see what we can do with our pearls maybe we can sell them as a lot at christies aution house

About 20 years ago my grandfather found a purple pearl in a qouhog .It is about 12mm in diameter, rounded on the top and flat on the bottom.We've since had it mounted on a ring. An appraiser from hong hong is visiting Calgary and appraising it for us.

Has anyone had any more info about their pearls? Seems like the initial excitement has died down. I would still like to know more!! Has anyone read more about the Providence pearl?

I too found a pearl out of a quahog,(not cooked) on cape cod Mass. I've e-mailed several so called pearl experts with no response. like the comments above I to would like to find someone that might give me some insite on the pearl I found.It is small 1/2 purple/whiteitsh good luster but almost perfectly round.

we have a quahog pearl also----what does one do with it........

i would like to know more about selling the pearli seen david golash in person he seen mine there is this lady in vt you can contact antoinette matlins 1 802 457 4000 let me know how you made out xmas is coming lol

I also have a quahog pearl that my parents found in Rhode Island. Has anyone found any information on where to sell it?

I HAVE A 6MM PEARL FOUND IN A QUAHOG AT WAREHAM,MA
IN THE EARLY 1930'S BY MY DAD.I SENT PICS. TO SOTHEBY'S IN N.Y. FOR A FREE ESTIMATE.THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME ONE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER AUCTIONED ONE OFF.THE VALUE OF THE PEARLS HAVE YET TO BE DETERMINED.THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I STAY IN TOUCH
WITH A.MATLINS.FOR THOSE THAT HAVE ONE THE ADVICE
THAT I WAS GIVEN WAS NOT TO PUT IT IN A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX BECAUSE OF THE DRYNESS..IT CAN DO MORE DAMAGE THAN YOU REALIZE!!! ALLEN,THE OWNER OF THE PEARL IN NEWPORT,RI.,TOLD ME THAT WHEN HIS
PEARL IS AUCTIONED OFF THEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO
ESTIMATE THE VALUE OF OTHERS,DEPENDING FOR WHAT PRICE HIS GOES FOR.

I also have a quahog pearl and have contacted Antoinette Maitlins and Sothebys. The last message I had was that everything is on hold. Anyone have any further information?
I have mine in a safe deposit box - is that not a good idea?

I have a purple quahog pearl found in watch hill
jeweler says its 11.5 mm and nice and round. it
also has never been cooked. ihave

Has anyone heard anymore about the pearls?

have you heard of a brown with white eye quahog pearl ?

Hello to All "Quahog-ers"!

My name is Briana Otranto, I am the assistant to Ms. Antoinette Matlins, PG. Ms. Matlins was the gemologist who helped Mr. Golash identify the quahog pearl brooch. Many of you have sent, called, and emailed information to us, and we have been keeping records for future use.

I would like to invite anyone else who might have a quahog pearl to contact me, by sending color pictures and info, BY MAIL, to:

Antoinette Matlins
Sunset Farms Offices, Rt. 4
PO Box 237
Woodstock Vt 05091

PLEASE DO NOT CALL, as there are MANY of you; Ms. Matlins hopes to begin research to author a book on the quahogs, and to, (in conjunction with the book), highlight it and the pearls to create a market for them. She will do this by touring them in an exhibit, in different museums around the country.

We appreciate the kindness and efforts many of you have already made, as well as the incredible patience, as Ms. Matlins has had certain events take place in her life to cause this project much delay.

Thank you again,

Briana Otranto
assistant to Ms. Matlins
Sunset Farms Offices, Rt. 4
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091

Hi
Well i have a rare Half & Half Qouhog pearl
It is dark purple and white can anyone tell me were to get it appraised?
Thank You!

I have a purple quahog pearl between 12 & 14 mil. found in Long Island. Over 40 years old and a nice oval shape.

mine is 7.5/8mm dk purple round

We are an ebay drop off store and a consignor brought one in to sell. We will be putting it on ebay soon.

has anyone heard how alan golash made out with the pearl so far? should we have a meeting of the pearl keepers!!!!

i have a purple pearl from a ri quahog the size of a bb .i would really like to find out what it is worth.its in perfect shape.opened fresh never cooked.got pearl from salt pond in narragansett,ri.

We also have a quahog pearl 3/8" round found off Cape Cod, MA 1999. Not Cooked. Would appreciate any information. Thank you.

it's only been 1 1/2 yrs mabe in another 5 we'll get answer seems everywhere ya look they're worth bucks but no way can ya get any responce

good news quahog holders they are having a conference in tucson, go to keyword type quahog pearls click on accredited gemolgists ass feb 2005 now ther is a lot of sites about the pearls maybe we all can cash in seeya

I've had one of these tucked away for a couple years
someone recently told it may be of value, it is about the diameter of a pen. any info would help

What is going on now with these pearls? I have one, would like to know where I can get it appraised.

Hi, i recently went qauhoging with my father, not expecting to find a purple stone in one of the qauhogs that we gave to my grandmother. When opening to quahog to make chowder, we found a purple and white stone in the middle of its belly, and quickly brought it to different jewelers. The first said that it was a rare stone, worth some money, but he would have to look into it some more. The second said that it wasn't rare, and would make a nice pendant. :)

I found a quahog 'pearl' in Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod two years ago. it is a combination of white and purple. Its shape is like a tear drop and its size is 11mm x 14 mm. Of course I would like to know its value. Any help on that score?

I found a purple pearl while opening quahogs about 2 years ago. It is approximately 1/2 in diameter but not completely round. It also appears to have a eye like circle in it. It was not cooked. I would like to find out where to take it to have it appraised.

I have a real nice, very shinny, light purplelavender colored pearl that I found while shucking clams several years ago. It is 3/8ths of an inch in size. Due to a It is perfect for a ring mounting because it's perfectly round except for a small flat side.

You have to see it; it is really beautiful.

We also found a pea sized purple pearl in a quahog off Prudence island in Konch Cove about 3 years ago. It is perfectly round in size and a very dark purple all around color. We are interested in knowing its value.

I have a quahog pearl from Bristol, RI...large, pear shaped...white on bottom...purple at top. Need an appraisal!!!

Hello ,

I have a kidney shape Purple Pearl that I found in a Cherry stone 14 yrs ago , I wouldlike to know where I could get a appraisal please.

Thank you , Nancy White

I have a gorgeous purple pearl a little larger than a bb. Does anybody have any idea where we go from here?? cbourgault@cox.net Thank you

I found a teardrop pearl while eating littleneck clams on the half shell at a restaurant in PA in the late 1970s. The pointed part is all shiny, lustrous dark purple. The rounded drop is white/lavender-ish. I had it mounted on a cocktail ring I designed, with 4 small diamonds and 4 small white pearls around it. It is priceless to me.

I found the purple quahog pearl recently on the news Christmas 2005. Would like to talk to anyone with purple pearls to keep everyone posted regarding news etc.
Ted
Tkrensavage@cox.net

I to found A 12mm Purple Quahog Pearl.Its perfectly round! I found the pearl diveing off of Barrington Beach R.I. In 1980.

Believe it or not, I found a quahog pearl in the waters of Tampa Bay, which, from what I understand, is very unusual. We were clamming in the intercoastal and opened up the clam, there it was. I've had it for about 12 years with no idea what it was or any idea of the value. It is about 15 mm, seeminlgy perfectly round with a very even dusty purple coloration. Did anyone ever contact Sotheby's by mail? What was their response? I'd be very interested to know if they are interested.

Is anyone keeping tabs on whats happening with any of the Quahog pearls that we all have? My son found a quahog pearl on second beach in Middletown about14 years ago.It is very round and very deep purple and lilac in color.Seems to be about 16 or 17 mm.in size.I guess they can vary in color from a mauve to a deep purple.sent pics. to Antoinette Matlins in 2003.I understand a couple from Portsmouth found one in a quahog this year,and it was on inside edition.I would like to post pics of mine but don't know where to go.

Hello, I also have a small round purple pearl from a little neck clam. I am beginning to think they are not as rare as we all think. If so, then why do so many of us have one??

Nonetheless, I spoke with a few pearl experts, and right now the going price seems to be around $200 per carat. My pearl is about 4-5 carats, so it would be worth $1,000. I also spoke with Antoinette Mattlins, who is very kind, and she is interested in receiving pictures of clam pearls. She is unable to give an estimate until the one traveling the world sells. That should create a benchmark for all of our pearls.

As many have mentioned, the pearl is priceless to me, and the fun of the treasure hunt is difficult to match. Good luck with all your pearls, and I will keep you posted as I learn new things. Please keep me posted as well.

Best,

Genevieve
NYC

i found a big quahog pearl last year down the cape diving it is purple and it is about the size of a big marble maybe a inch across does anybody know about the pearls thank you

I HAVE A QUOHOG PEARL THE SIZE OF A MARBLE MAYBE ABOUT 5/8 OF AN INCH ACROSS.IT CAME FROM A LARGE CHERRY STONE QUOHOG. IT WAS CAUGHT IN NEW BEDFORD MASS.ID LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A MARKET FOR IT. ITS A BEAUTIFUL PEARL..GET BACK TO ME..THANX

does anyone know how much my uncooked quahog pearl is worth it has a beautiful purple band and is tear shaped

just came across a deep dark purple pearl inside a quahog several days ago. Its about the size of pea and is perfectly circular...no idea on where to go or what to do with it

I found the purple pearl in the news last year,
would like pictures of anyone's pearl.
Tkrensavage@cox.net
401-418-0949

I too have a purple pearl- teardrop shaped and deep purple. Found it in a quohog on Duxbury beach about 15 years ago. It has been sitting in my jewelry box since then. I understand that it is rare and that it is big on the Asian Mkt. but have never verified this and not sure what to do with it or who to go to for an appraisal. Would appreciate any help or direction to assess its value. It sounds like everyone else who has one is in the same predicament- not knowing what to do with it or if it is indeed valuable. Thanks for any info you can share.

I have been working with rare natural pearls for 13 years. I have a degree in Gemology and have been writen up many times in Gems and Gemology as well as other trade magazines. I have just read the many posts on this site and would like to offer my services and knowledge.
Quahog pearls are not one of the rarest natural pearls but they have in the last three years gained interest from some Jewelers and collectors. The demand is small but has the potential for growth. Publicity (like that surrounding the large pearl found in an antique setting) has created the interest in this type of natural pearl but it will take quite a bit more publicity to create a strong demand. The prices that I currently pay for clam pearls ranges between $20 and $200 per carat. The prices I charge are between $30 and $300 per carat (I pay higher prices for extraordinary pearls). Color,size and symmetry play an important part of pricing. My over seas clients have not expressed much interest in Quahog pearls yet. Most of the interest I get comes from Jewelers and collectors in the US.
If any one would like any additional information about their pearl or would like to sell or purchase a natural Clam pearl they can email me at Jnorris@mcn.org

Best Regards,
Jeremy Norris
Oasis Pearl

Mr. Golash will be in Asia working on getting interest in these pearls. I have found three of them myself. Suggest you all hang onto yours till at least next October, after Mr. Golash has auctioned his and a base line is established for a value of these. Could be upward of many thousand dollars each. Just hang in there.

I have been in the seafood business for over 30 years & have shucked many a quahog in my day. I too have found a few various pearls. Last year I found a very large, oval shaped pearl, purple with detailed layers & shades of purple. It is quite unique. We've determined that it is 4.54 grams, 22.7 carats, & 17mm. Do I have something special here.

i just recently found a pearl in Barnstable harbor. She sure is pretty. What a find!!! I'd never sell this pearl because i probly won't find another.

email me for a picture.

I have just got a pearl from aquahog as well on 06/28/07.. I have listed it on ebay.

The Golash pearl is supposedly going to be auctioned off August 2007. Contact me for more info.TKrensavage@cox.net

Hello again, does any one have any new info on our purple pearls, does any one buy them tet? Let me know cbourgault@cox.net thanks

This weekend I bought a bushel of littlenecks and almost broke my molar when I bit into a pearl.

About the size of a skittle
Perfect oval
Deep purple on one side
Fading into Silver then fading to white
Flawless
Very shiny high luster

I emailed about 10 different internet pearl experts with piks and hoping I have found something of high value.

If anyone out there has any good info I should know, I would appreciate you emailing to me at info@expert-credit-advice.com

Hi, I'm Kari and I invite anyone who has found a Quahog pearl or any other pearl to tell their story and add a photo on my website.

http://www.karipearls.com/quahog-pearl.html

Please contact me via my website if you have questions.

Kari

i found a quahog pearl at cape cod over the summer very large size of a grape does any body know how much it is worth thank you

I found a shiny new penny last night in the rain. I was wondering if somebody could help me put a value on it?
Thank you

I would not get your hopes up too much just because someone else found one that sells for a lot.

http://www.heavenlytreasures.com/n6066.html

it depends on the quality
read the article here

http://www.preciousgemstones.com/gfsummer05.html#4

this person said that pure purple pearl can fetch from 50,000 to 100,000 depending on carots - size and shape

MY HUSBAND FOUND A PURPLE PEARL INSIDE OF A CLAM 1 MONTH AGO AND HE IS NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND I KNOW IT'S WORTH SOMETHING.

My husband found his purple pearl long before the Purple Broach was discovered. (1996-1997) It is a beautiful purple 11 mm pearl. He brought it to a scientist at URI who stated it was 1 in 10 million. Since then many have come out.Just the other day, my husband a commercial shellfisherman found 2 more, however this time, they weren't very attractive. We had spoken to Ms Matlins quite a while ago, however things seemed to have really quieted down until the Florida couple found their's. Any news on their value?

I bit into a purple pearl from a Savory clam (Nuttallia obscurata). The restaurant owner bought the clams from British Columbia. The pearl is small and has white mixed with purple but mostly purple. It is round with bumps (not perfectly round). Where do I find info on this pearl, like how much would someone pay for it?

i found one to it is big as a baseball howmuch do you think it worth