All pearls are unique, but there are some historically significantly unique pearls and The Hope Pearl is one of them. Of course you have heard of the Hope Diamond, but there is the Hope Pearl, as well.

It is one of the largest pearls in the world, weighing 450 ct and 5.1cm in length. This is a pear shaped natural pearl that is thought to be a blister pearl from a Black Lipped Pinctada Margaritifera oyster.

This pearl belonged to a British banker named Henry Phillip Hope (1774-1839). Hence, the name of the Hope Pearl. It was bought by the House of Garrard of London in 1908 for 9000 pounds and later by Mohammed Mahdi Al-Tajir from a Parisan jeweler for $200,000. It is now in a private collection. Maybe someday we will see it for auction at Christies...It has been on display at The London Natural History Museum.