Judi McCormick / rare pearls

The definitive book on Pearls, by Elisabeth Strack

The definitive book on Pearls, by Elisabeth Strack

At over 700 pages long, I go to Strack's book whenever I have a question about pearls.

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The Big Pink Pearl

The Big Pink Pearl

The Big Pink Pearl was discovered in 1990 and weighs a stunning 470 carats, which is equal to 94 grams. The BPP is an abalone pearl found by the diver Wesley Rankin. In 1991, it was valued at...
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Why Are Golden South Sea Pearls So Special?

Why Are Golden South Sea Pearls So Special?

South Sea cultured pearls are the largest type of cultured pearls. The Goldens are the rarest of the rare of the South Sea Pearls.

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The Imperial Hong Kong Pearl or The Miracle of the Sea

The Imperial Hong Kong Pearl or The Miracle of the Sea

This very large 127.5 carat pearl is a silvery white Baroque pearl. In the Renaissance period, Baroque pearls were highly valued for their unique shapes, which highlighted their luster and colors.

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The World's Oldest Pearl

The World's Oldest Pearl

In 2017 this peach colored pearl was discovered in an excavation site on the island of Marawah off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
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Philippine South Sea Pearls

Philippine South Sea Pearls

Philippine South Sea Pearls grow in the Pinctada Maxima oyster. It is one of the largest oysters in the world.
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Pearl Pioneers- Nicholas Paspaley (Picture of Nick and his sister in 1932)

Pearl Pioneers- Nicholas Paspaley (Picture of Nick and his sister in 1932)

It all started out as a wonderful wild adventure for 19 year old Nick Paspaley in the 1930s. 
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The Pink Pearl, a Non Nacreous Pearl

The Pink Pearl, a Non Nacreous Pearl

Nacreous pearls are the pearls that we mostly talk about and see. These are the South Sea Pearls, Tahitians, and Freshwater Pearls. Non nacreous pearls are grown in conch shells. There are many varieties, but the main ones are the Conch Pearls and the Melo Melo Pearls. 
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Golden South Sea Pearls

Golden South Sea Pearls

Golden South Sea Pearls are some of the most valuable pearls cultured today. The most beautiful and most valuable are the deep golden colored pearls grown in the gold lipped variety of the Pinctada maxima South Sea oyster.
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