A fisherman has confessed to keeping a pearl under his bed for a decade, which might be the largest natural pearl ever discovered.
The fisherman, hailing from the Philippines, discovered a massive pearl measuring 30cm in width and 67cm in length, with a weight of an astounding 34kg.
If experts verify that it was indeed formed inside a giant clam, it could bring immense wealth to the fisherman.
According to Palawan News, the man from Puerto Princesa stumbled upon the pearl over 10 years ago while fishing in the sea.
The local news source mentioned that he found it when his boat’s anchor snagged on a giant clam, prompting him to dive into the water to free them.
Upon discovering the pearl, he decided to keep it as a good luck token and stored it beneath his bed.
When he relocated to another part of the province, he handed the pearl over to his aunt.
Aileen Cynthia Maggay-Amurao, who works as a tourism officer for the local government, received the pearl from him.
She told the Guardian: “That’s why he brought it to me, since it’s quite heavy.”
She noted that she is now consulting experts to authenticate the pearl for valuation purposes.
She stated: “So far based on our research in the web we cannot find any recorded article about this kind and as big as this size.
“He said every time he goes out for fishing, he will touch the pearl.”
If it is confirmed to have originated from a giant clam, it could be valued at over $100 million, potentially making the fisherman a multi-millionaire overnight.
Currently, with the fisherman’s permission, his aunt has handed the pearl over to their mayor, Lucilo R Bayon, to be used as a tourist attraction. It is now on display at the New Green City Hall in Puerto Princesa.
In her quest to determine the pearl’s value, Maggay-Amurao sought help from Facebook experts, writing: “The Puerto Princesa City would likely earn another prestigious title and a record breaker for having the world’s biggest natural giant pearl from a giant clam (34 kilograms) after being certified for its authenticity.
“Need help from gemologists!
“Just for the info of everyone, all recorded giant pearls in the world came from Palawan waters.”
She is encouraging all residents of the island and nearby areas to help raise awareness about the pearl, which has garnered significant attention as her post has been shared thousands of times.
If the pearl is verified as authentic, it will surpass the current largest known pearl, discovered by a local diver from Brooke’s Point in Palawan, named the Pearl of Lao Tzu.
That pearl weighed 6.4kg when it was found in 1939.
If genuine, this new pearl is nearly 30kg heavier.
In 2003, the record-holding pearl was valued at $93 million by gemologist Michael Steenrod from Colorado Springs.