The Need for a Dedicated Webpage on Important Tables on Famous Pearls of the World

Our website has an extensive resource database on the natural and cultured pearl industries of the world, and has incorporated exhaustive information on around 130 famous pearls and pearl-containing jewelry, both historic and contemporary, and 10 dedicated pages on the History of the Discovery & Appreciation of Pearls, as well as latest research articles relevant to the pearl industry. In dealing with pearls we have adopted a broad-based scientific approach, not only dealing with nacreous pearls of commercial value both natural and cultured, but also various types of non-nacreous pearls that may not have a commercial importance, such as non-nacreous pearls produced by the giant clam Tridacna gigas. eg. Pearl of AllahPalawan Princess; melo melo pearls produced by the melo melo sea snail, eg. Bao Dai/Sunrise Pearl; conch pearls produced by the queen conch (Strombus gigas) and horse conch (Pleurocopa gigantea), eg. Queen Mary Conch Pearl BroochSusan Hendrickson’s Conch Pearls; Quahog pearls produced by the quahog clam Mercenaria mercenaria, eg. Pearl of Venus incorporated in the Golash Quahog Pearl BroochScallop pearls produced by the Atlantic Lion’s Paw (Nodipecten nodosus), the Pacific Lion’s Paw (Nodipecten subnodosus), the Atlantic Sea Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus), and the Atlantic bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), and the extremely rare nautilus and argonaut pearls produced by the shelled cephalopods Nautilus species and Argonaut species.

In some famous pearl pages whenever it seemed expedient, we have also incorporated tabulated information on famous pearls that gives a wealth of information, eg. Table on the Famous Nacreous and Non-Nacreous Single Pearls arranged in descending order of weights – which gives not only the overall position of a famous pearl in terms of its weight in the list of famous pearls in the world, but also the type of pearl – whether nacreous or non-nacreous, its color, whether saltwater or freshwater; the species of mollusk from which it was derived; and also the shape of the pearl. eg. Table of famous nacreous pearls arranged in descending order of weight – which also gives the weight, shape, type (saltwater or freshwater) and color of pearl apart from the overall position of the pearl in the list of famous nacreous pearls.

See also  Abernethy Pearl - Little Willie Pearl

In this webpage we have attempted to collate together all such tables pertaining to pearls scattered across various webpages on famous pearls, on our website, for the benefit of our readers and for easy reference on important information relevant to such pearls, such as the price fetched by such a famous pearl at a public auction etc.

Table 1 – Table of famous nacreous single pearls arranged in descending order of weight

S/NName of PearlWeight in Carats and GrainsShape of PearlType of PearlColor of Pearl
1Danat Sheikha Fathima bint Mubarak Pearl856.58 carats, 3426.32 grainsBaroqueSaltwater, nacreous pearlConvex front-Purplish brownish gray. Concave back- dark gray to black
2Pearl of Asia600 carats, 2,400 grainsBaroque, garden-egg shapedSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
3Arco-Valley Pearl575 carats, 2300 grainsBaroqueSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
4Big Pink Pearl470 carats, 1,880 grainsBaroqueSaltwater, nacreous abalone pearl Pink
5Hope Pearl450 carats, 1,800 grainsBaroque drop-shapedSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
6Christopher Walling Abalone Pearl187.5 carats, 750 grainsHorn shapedSaltwater , nacreous pearlMulti-colored
7Imperial Hong Kong Pearl127.5 carats, 510 grainsIrregular dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
8Gogibus Pearl126 carats, 504 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
9Shah Sofi Pearl125 carats. 500 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous perl White
10Survival Pearl90.35 carats, 361.40 grainsBaroqueFreshwater, nacreous pearl White
11La Regente75.67 carats, 302.68 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
12Pearl of Kuwait64.35 carats, 257.40 grainsAsymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
13Paspaley Pearl60.94 carats, 243.76 grainsPerfectly sphericalSaltwater, nacreous, cultured pearl White
14Large natural freshwater nacreous pearl, that appeared at Christie’s sale 7664 at Dubai60.36 carats, 241.44 grainsNear-SphericalFreshwater nacreous pearlYellowish- orange to pinkish-orange
15Natural Grey/Brown Pearl56.81 carats, 227.24 grainsSymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater, nacreous pearl Grey/Brown
La Peregrina (Original weight)55.95 carats, 223.8 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
16Sara/Tavernier/Shaista Khan Pearl55.0 carats, 220 grainsDrop-shapedSaltwater, nacreous pearl Gray
17La Peregrina after drilling and polishing in 191350.96 carats, 203.84 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearlWhite
18Peacock Throne Pearl50 carats, 200 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearl Yellow
19Mancini Pearls50 carats, 200 grains. 50 carats, 200 grainsDrop-shaped pearlsSaltwater nacreous White
20Moghul Pearls45.5 carats, 182 grains. 45.5 carats, 182 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearls White
21Drexel Pearl33.80 carats, 135.2 grainsSymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater nacreous pearl Black Tahitian
22La Pelegrina one33.29 carats, 133.16 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
23Charles II Pearl32.5 carats, 130 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
24Tararequi Pearls31 carats, 124 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous White
25Bapst Pearls113.75 grains, 113.25 grainsPerfectly spherical pearlsSaltwater nacreous pearls White
26La Pelegrina two27.88 carats, 111.5 grainsPerfectly spherical pearlSaltwater nacreous pearl White
27La Reine De Pearls27.5 carats, 110 grainsPerfectly spherical pearlSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
28Oviedo Pearl26 carats, 104 grainsPerfectly spherical pearlSaltwater, nacreous White
29Queen/Patterson Pearl23.25 carats, 93 grainsBaroqueFreshwater, nacreous pearl White
30Paspaley Drop-shaped Pearls18.75 carats, 75 grains. 18.75 carats, 75 grainsDrop-shaped pearlsSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
31Finest black pearl in Europe in 190012.25 carats, 49 grainsPear-shaped drop pearlSaltwater, nacreous pearl Black pearl with green overtone

© internetstones.com

See also  List of Pearls/Pearl Jewelry/Pearl Settings that Performed Exceptionally Well at Public Auctions Arranged in Chronological Order of their Sale

Table 2 – Famous nacreous and non-nacreous single pearls arranged in descending order of weights

In the table please note that pearl no. 15 Paspaley Pearl is a cultured nacreous spherical pearl

S/NName of PearlType of PearlSource of PearlShape of PearlWeight in carats and grains
1Pearl of Allah -blister pearlWhite, saltwater, non-nacreous, porcellaneous, giant clam pearlTridacna gigas (giant clam)Baroque6 kg or 6,000g or30,000 carats, 120,000 grains
2Palawan Princess – blister pearlWhite, saltwater, non-nacreous, porcellaneous, giant clam pearlTridacna gigas (giant clam)Baroque shaped (resemblance to the human brain)2.27 kg or 2,270g or 11,350 carats, 45,400 grains
3Danat Sheikha Fathima bint Mubarak PearlBrownish-grey to black, saltwater, nacreous pearl 856.58 carats, 3426.32 grains Baroque856.58 carats, 3426.32 grains
4Pearl of Asia – NacreousWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataBaroque, garden egg shaped600 carats, 2400 grains
5Arco-Valley pearl-blister pearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada maximaBaroque575 carats, 2,300 grains
6Big PinkPearlPink, saltwater, nacreous, abalone pearlAbalone snail, Haliotis corrugataBaroque470 carats, 1,880 grains
7Hope PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataBaroque450 carats, 1,800 grains
8Bao Dai/Sunrise PearlIntense orange, saltwater, non-nacreous, melo-melo pearlMelo melo gastropod sea-snailPerfectly round or spherical397.52 carats. 1,590 grains
9Christopher Walling Abalone PearlSaltwater, nacreous, abalone  pearl with a mixture of green, blue, orange, pink and silver colorsAbalone snail, Haliotis corrugataHorn shaped187.50 carats, 750 grains
10Imperial Hong Kong PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada maximaBaroque, irregular-drop127.5 carats, 510 grains
11Gogibus PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada imbricata – Atlantic pearl oysterPear-shaped drop126 carats, 504 grains
12Shah Sofi PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPear-shaped drop125 carats. 500 grains
13Survival PearlLavendar pink, freshwater, nacreous, mussel pearlFreshwater musselBaroque (snail-shaped)90.35 carats, 361.40 grains
14La RegenteWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPear-shaped75.67 carats, 302.68 grains
15Pearl of KuwaitWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataAsymmetrical drop-shaped64.35 carats, 257.40 grains
16Paspaley PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, cultured, South-Sea PearlPinctada maximaPerfectly round60.94 carat, 243.76 grains
17Large natural freshwater nacreous pearl, that appeared at Christie’s sale 7664 at DubaiYellowish- orange to pinkish-orange Freshwater nacreous pearlMargaritifera margaritifera- Freshwater Unionoidae musselNear-Spherical60.36 carats, 241.44 grains
18Valda Virginia Vaughn Scott PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiata or Pinctada maximaBaroque drop-shaped pearl59.92 carats, 239.7 grains
19Natural Grey/Brown PearlGrey/Brown Saltwater, nacreous pearlPinctada margaritifera- black-lipped pearl oysterSymmetrical drop-shape56.81 carats, 227.24 grains
20La PeregrinaWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada imbricata (Atlantic oyster)Pear-shaped55.95 carats, 223.8 grains
21Sara/Tavernier/Shaista Khan PearlGray Saltwater, nacreous pearlPinctada imbricata (Atlantic oyster)Drop-shaped55.0 carats, 220 grains
22Peacock Throne PearlYellow Saltwater nacreous pearlPinctada radiataPear-shaped drop50 carats, 200 grains
23Mancini PearlsWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataDrop-shaped pearls50 carats, 200 grains. 50 carats, 200 grains
24Moghul PearlsWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPear-shaped drop45.5 carats, 182 grains. 45.5 carats, 182 grains
25Drexel PearlBlack, saltwater, nacreous, Tahitian, oyster pearlPinctada margaritiferaSymmetrical drop-shaped33.8 carats, 135.2 grains
26La Pelegrina -1 NacreousWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada imbricata (Atlantic oyster)Pear-shaped33.29 carats, 133.16 grains
27Charles II PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPear-shaped drop32.5 carats, 130 grains
28Tararequi PearlsWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPear-shaped drop31 carats, 124 grains
29Bapst PearlsWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPerfectly spherical pearls113.75 grains, 113.25 grains
30La Pelegrina -2White, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPerfectly spherical pearl27.88 carats, 111.5 grains
31La Reine De PearlsWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPerfectly spherical pearls27.5 carats, 110 grains
32Oviedo PearlWhite, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada radiataPerfectly spherical pearls26 carats, 104 grains
33Queen Pearl/Patterson PearlWhite, freshwater, nacreous, mussel pearlFreshwater musselBaroque23.25 carats, 93 grains
34Susan Hendrickson Conch PearlsDeep-pink, saltwater, non-nacreous, conch pearlStrombus gigas – gastropod sea-snailOval shaped22.4 carats, 89.6 grains. 17.19 carats, 71.6 grains
35Paspaley Drop-Shaped PearlsWhite, saltwater, natural, nacreous, South-Sea PearlsPinctada maximaPear-shaped18.75 carats, 75 grains 18.75 carats, 75 grains
36Golash Quahog pearl – Pearl of VenusPurple, saltwater, non-nacreous, quahog pearlSaltwater, quahog clam, Mercenaria mercenariaButton shaped13.5 carats, 54 grains
37Finest black pearl in Europe in 1900 that sold for US$ 40,000Black pearl with green overtone Saltwater, nacreous pearlPinctada margritiferaPear-shaped drop pearl12.25 carats, 49 grains
38Abernethy pearlWhite, freshwater, nacreous, mussel pearlfrehwater musselSpherical11 carats 44 grains
39Black BeautyBlack, saltwater, nacreous, oyster pearlPinctada margaritiferaSpherical6.53 carats, 26.12 grains


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See also  Famous Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls

Table 3 – Table of famous nacreous drop-shaped pearls arranged in descending order of weights

S/NName of PearlWeight in Carats and GrainsShape of PearlType of PearlColor of Pearl
1Hope Pearl450 carats, 1,800 grainsBaroque drop-shapedSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
2Imperial Hong Kong Pearl127.5 carats, 510 grainsIrregular dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
3Gogibus Pearl126 carats, 504 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
4Shah Sofi Pearl125 carata. 500 grainaPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous perl White
5La Regente75.67 carats, 302.68 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
6Pearl of Kuwait64.35 carats, 257.40 grainsAsymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
7Natural Grey/Brown Pearl56.81 carats, 227.24 grainsSymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater, nacreous pearl Grey/Brown
La Peregrina (Original weight)55.95 carats, 223.8 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
8Sara/Tavernier/Shaista Khan Pearl55.0 carats, 220 grainsDrop-shapedSaltwater, nacreous pearl Gray
9La Peregrina after drilling and polishing in 191350.96 carats, 203.84 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearlWhite
10Peacock Throne Pearl50 carats, 200 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearl Yellow
11Mancini Pearls50 carats, 200 grains. 50 carats, 200 grainsDrop-shaped pearlsSaltwater nacreous White
12Moghul Pearls45.5 carats, 182 grains. 45.5 carats, 182 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearls White
13Drop-shaped pearl from pendant of Cartier’s necklace38.50 carats,153.89 grainsOval-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous perlWhite/Grey
14Drexel Pearl33.80 carats, 135.2 grainsSymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater nacreous pearl Black Tahitian
15La Pelegrina one33.29 carats, 133.16 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
16Charles II Pearl32.5 carats, 130 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
17Tararequi Pearls31 carats, 124 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous White
18Drop-shaped pearls from pendants belonging to an European noble familyEach pearl weighing approximately 30 carats, 120 grainsAsymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater nacreous  White
19Pair of antique natural pearl and diamond ear-pendants26.86 carats, 107.44 grains22.82 carats, 91.28 grainsAsymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater nacreousWhite with pink overtone
20Drop-shaped pearls from Cartier’s Natural Pearl and Diamond Ear Pendants25.3 carats, 101.2 grains23.5 carats, 94.0 grainsOval-shaped dropAsymmetrical drop-shapeSaltwater nacreousWhite/Grey
21Paspaley Drop-shaped Pearls18.75 carats, 75 grains. 18.75 carats, 75 grainsDrop-shaped pearlsSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
22Finest black pearl in Europe in 190012.25 carats, 49 grainsPear-shaped drop pearlSaltwater, nacreous pearl Black pearl with green overtone


© internetstones.com


Table 4 – Table of famous nacreous pear-shaped drop pearls arranged in descending order of weights

S/NName of PearlWeight in Carats and GrainsShape of PearlType of PearlColor of Pearl
1Gogibus Pearl126 carats, 504 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
2Shah Sofi Pearl125 carats. 500 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous perl White
3La Regente75.67 carats, 302.68 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
La Peregrina (Original weight)55.95 carats, 223.8 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
4Sara/Tavernier/Shaista Khan Pearl55.0 carats, 220 grainsDrop-shapedSaltwater, nacreous pearl Gray
5La Peregrina after drilling and polishing in 191350.96 carats, 203.84 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearlWhite
6Peacock Throne Pearl50 carats, 200 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearl Yellow
7Moghul Pearls45.5 carats, 182 grains. 45.5 carats, 182 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater nacreous pearls White
8La Pelegrina one33.29 carats, 133.16 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
9Charles II Pearl32.5 carats, 130 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
10Tararequi Pearls31 carats, 124 grainsPear-shaped dropSaltwater, nacreous White
11Paspaley Drop-shaped Pearls18.75 carats, 75 grains. 18.75 carats, 75 grains One pearl is a pear-shaped drop, the other is oval-shapedSaltwater, nacreous pearl White
12Finest black pearl in Europe in 190012.25 carats, 49 grainsPear-shaped drop pearlSaltwater, nacreous pearl Black pearl with green overtone

© internetstones.com


Table 5 – Table of some famous natural pearls/pearl jewelry sold at public auctions conducted by international auction houses, giving the date of auction and the prices realized, during the period 1970 to 2011

S/NName of pearl/pearl jewelryProbable period of originweight   date of auctionPrice realized
1La Peregrina1513203.84 grainsSotheby’s London 1969Christie’s New York Dec 2011USD 37,000USD 11,000,000
2Mancini pearls1500-1600400 grainsChristie’s New York Oct.1979USD 253,000
3Mona Bismarck 2-strand pearl necklace1920-1930Double-strand of 70 pearlsSotheby’s Geneva, May 1986USD 410,000
4Duchess of Windsor pearl necklace1910-1936Single-strand of 28 natural pearls. Total weight 1266.33 grainsSotheby’s Geneva, April 1987Sotheby’s New York, Dec 2007USD 733,333USD 3,625,000
5Empress Eugenie tiara1853212 pearls, 2,520 grainsPrivate sale, Nov 1992USD 650,000
6Nina Dyer black pearl necklace1950s151 natural black pearlsChristie’s Geneva, Nov 1997USD 913,320
7Barbara Hutton pearls1600-166644 natural pearls, total weight of 1,816.68 grainsChristie’s Geneva, May 1992Christie’s Geneva, Nov 1999USD 580,000USD 1,470,000
8Unidentified natural pearl necklace by CartierHistorical provenance not revealedDouble-strand necklace with 88 natural pearlsChristie’s Geneva, Nov 2004USD 3,100,000
9La Regente1811302.68 grainsChristie’s Geneva, May 1988Christie’s Geneva, Nov 2005USD 860,000USD 2,483,968
10Gulf pearl parure designed by Harry Winston1932-1978Christie’s Genava, Nov 2006USD 4,100,000
11Baroda pearl necklace1856-1870Double-strand with 68 natural pearls from the original 7-strand necklaceChriste’s New York, April 2007USD 7,096,000
12Superb four-row natural pearl and diamond necklace,  Christie’s Dubai, April 2008USD 1,743,400.
13Umm Kulthum pearl necklace1880nine-stranded necklace with 1,888 pearlsChristie’s Dubai, April 2008USD 1,390,000
14Single row natural pearl and diamond necklace  Christie’s Dubai, April 2008USD 205,000
15Pearl necklace from an unidentified notable collectionHistorical provenance not revealedSingle-strand necklace with 41 natural pearlsSotheby’s Geneva, Nov 2008USD 1,321,110
16Unnamed nine-strand natural pearl festoon necklaceHistorical provenance not revealedNine-strand pearl and diamond festoon necklace. Length 645mm to 1060mmSotheby’s Geneva, Nov 2008USD 946,610
17Belle Époque natural grey/brown pearl pendant necklace,1901-191556.81 carats, 227.24 grainsChristie’s Dubai, April 2008USD 769,000
18Pearl Carpet of Baroda18601.5-2.0 million natural seed pearlsSotheby’s Qatar, March 2009USD 5,500,000
19Antique Natural Pearl and Diamond Five-Row NecklaceLate 19th century4,200 grains approximatelyChristie’s Geneva May 2010USD 132,682
20Belle Époque Pearl and Diamond Triple Pendant Brooch1901-1915Central pearl approx. 200 grainsSide pearls approx. 100-120 grainsChristie’s Geneva May 2010USD 154,345
21Cartier’s Pair of Natural Pearl and Diamond Ear Pendants1920s101.2 grains94.0 grainsChristie’s Geneva May 2010USD 419,710
22Cartier’s Natural Pearl, White and Pink Diamond Necklace1920s153.89 grainsChristie’s Geneva May 2010USD 717,568

© internetstones.com


Table 6 – Some of the natural pearl and diamond ear pendants sold at public auctions and the prices realized

S/NName of Pearl and Diamond Ear PendantsWeight of the PearlsDimensionsAuction House and Year of SallePrice Realized at the Auction
1Marie Mancini pearl and diamond ear pendantsEach pearl weighing approx. 200 grainsnot knownChristie’s, New York, October 1979US$ 253,000
2Pair of Antique Natural Pearl and Diamond Ear Pendants107.44 grains91.28 grains21.1 mm x 14.3 mm21.18 mm x 13.45 mmChristie’s, Dubai, April 29, 2008Presale estimate US$ 180,000-250,000.Price realized US$217,000
3Fine Pair of Natural Pearl and Diamond Ear Pendantsnot known15 mm x 9.38 mm14 mm x 9.23 mmChristie’s Dubai, April 29, 2008Presale estimate US$ 60,000-80,000Price realized US$ 157,000
4Pair of Diamond and Pearl PendantsEach pearl weighing approx. 120 grainsnot knownSotheby’s Geneva, May 11, 2010Presale estimate US$ 17,300-26,000Price realized US$ 168,500
5Pair of Art Deco Natural Pearl and Diamond Pendant Earringsnot known, but approx. 70 grains from the conversion table for spherical pearls13.45-13.50 mm x 11.50 mm13.25-13.30 mm x 10.90 mmChristie’s, Geneva, May 12, 2010.Presale estimate US$ 99,268-144,390Price realized US$ 165,176
6Cartier’s Natural Pearl and Diamond Ear Pendants101.2 grains94.0 grainsnot knownChristie’s, Geneva, May 12, 2010Presale estimate US$ 76,707-112,805Price realized US$ 419,710


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Please feel free to let us know if there are any famous pearls that are not listed here. You can do so by commenting below.

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