First of all, let me just say that after looking at the picture of this wonder for a few minu
tes, my first reaction was to want to stitch my eyelids together. But after the initial shock to my visual apparatus wore off, MY brain, started to look at THIS brain-shaped specimen, in a more objective way. Now doesn't this lump look a lot like another famous lump? That's right! The Pearl of Allah. Sure, this one is smaller, but you have to admit --- it is just as ugly. No, wait, technically the The Pearl of Allah is uglier because there is a lot more surface area that ugly can occupy.So what it boils down to here is that we have five pounds of newly discovered ugly. The difference, besides weight, between this newer ugly lump and that older ugly lump, The Pearl of Allah, seems to be that this is some newer "natural" blister-pearl ugly, while that was some older "cultured" ugly (we all know that story was bullshit). I'm no big expert on ugly but in my opinion, the quality of of this particular ugly seems to be of equal magnitude in both of the lumps. Huh, how coincidental.
"This is clearly one of the most valuable pearls of its kind in the world today," said Bidwell---and therein those fine words lies the truth of the matter. Specifically the words, "of its kind". Now, where in the world has the lumpier and older Pearl of Allah gone to? What was the last price anybody paid for it? I always thought that value was determined by what someone agrees to pay for it. Oh yes, the Pearl of Allah was valued at astronomical figures, but no one ever bought it at those figures. Reminds me a little of quahog pearls and their purported value.I too, wonder what kind of exciting future this nacreless five pound lump will have. In fact, I've already got an idea or two for its future, but lucky for it, I am not its owner. The Pearl of Allah faired pretty well, wherever it is. Can't say the same for the people who said they owned it, but maybe this new lump has much better mojo. Or maybe, just to be on the safe side, the thing to do with it is to house it in a museum display case somewhere, far away. Far, far away.
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18 comments:
Caitlin Williams would get a kick out of this new "pearl". She has tirelessly researched the Allah pearl and its Lao Tzu and Philippine connections.
There has been many available information about the origin of the "Pearl Of Allah" on the internet. You can google them but I kinda don't believe anymore about most of those stories bcoz it appears exaggerated.
But I agree that a pearl's value is base on what everyone agrees to be it's worth.
There are many gems that are as rare as me but don't lasts long or doesn't have the beauty to be considered as a gem. Though I believe I have beauty.
The value of a gem are based on several factors. In random order...
1. Market- They should have a market. 2. Fashion- When Marilyn Monroe sings a "A Diamond Is A Girl's Bestfriend and De Beers coined their famous phrase "A diamond is forever". And when Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepbhurn wears strands of pearls it has a created diamonds and pearls as the biggest selling gemstones in history as they are timeless and classic. 3. Beauty- A gem has to have beauty to create a MARKET and to be desired. A gem that is rare but not beautiful will not command high prices. I would say beauty is of paramount concern when it comes to gems bcoz beauty speaks for itself. 4. Rarity- Well if gems can be beautiful but as common as rocks then it will only be used as cobblestones on the street, ornamental stones or rocks that would fill your aquarium. Every man wants to own something that is rare, something that is incomparable, something that no one else will ever own and that is why they don't like to share their wives. Connoisseurs wants a one in a million gem, or maybe one in a hundred million, actually if possible truly one and only since all gems are unique whatever they are. 5. Durability- There has been a rare mineral that is so beautiful, extremely rare but not hard and tough that get's broken even by touching it lightly and bcoz of that it has no market as a gemstone and therefore no value. Some gems even fades their color when exposed to the sun.
If I am the richest person in the world I don't think I will buy "The Pearl Of Allah" for the appraised value. I will buy it for the historical value and the age. Not for beauty and the image since I am agnostic. I would have to say it should be worth $10 million but I am only willing to spend $1 million for it and hopefully $500,000.
And that smaller version? It is the most beautiful ugly pearl on the face of Planet Earth. It is only for curiosity and most men spends their curiosity budget on something else...
"Every man wants to own something that is rare, something that is incomparable, something that no one else will ever own and that is why they don't like to share their wives."
OMG, Gia13615096, how did you find out about the Professor and me????? That is privy information!!! Who told you that??? Can no one keep a secret anymore? Blasted blog readers.
Oh, Gia13615096, I thought you said, "didn't like to share with their wives". Sorry, forget about the whole thing. My mistake.
"....and most men spends their curiosity budget on something else..."
Like what, for instance?
Pearls you know the answer...
This looks like the third t.gigas pearl of some size to come to light. THREE "cultured" pearls?
Impossible. I think that every big gigas pearl will start coming to light now. Each one to come onshore gives the lie of the "Pearl of Lao Tsu" another kick to the floor
The pearl of Allah was first then the "pearl of Elias" http://www.karipearls.com/largest-blister-pearl.html
Then the one above, Which is the least gnarly of the three. Might make a good garden rock...
"Now, where in the world has the lumpier and older Pearl of Allah gone to? What was the last price anybody paid for it? " comment from the Countess
Nobody knows for sure where the POA is. Something is stored in a bank vault in Colorado, but it hasn't been certified as a genuine specimen since 1939 when the head invertebrate man at the Museum of Natural History (Dr Roy Miner?) authenticated it.
The sf gem lab evaluation was done in 1980, I believe, by Lee Sparrow, whom no one from the lab remembers today!
Sparrow did not authenticate it, and did not give the lab name where it was carbon dated, it only referred to the report paperwork from the unknown c-d lab.
Interestingly the evaluation was that it could be 600 years old-however this was before they found out the top layer of the ocean is 400 years old. My guess is that if it is still around and gets authenticated and re-dated, it will turn out to be under 200 years old
It was last sold, by Wilburn(?) Cobb's estate to Peter Hoffman and Victor Barbish for $200,000. That was the only time it was actually ever sold, though Barbish's various accounts of sales that fell through is very long.
The off-the wall- "theory" I want to rule out is that the carbon dating lab shattered it when taking a core out of it, so all that is left are the ceramic copies given to various museums around the world- and the one in the vault.
I think t.gigas pearls can not be cored without shattering, but I need an expert's answer on that. At least I have never yet seen any t.gigas pearl that is drilled, let alone cored for a carbon dating test! There is no sign of any such coring on the photos of Barbish's hands holding it.
Caitlin Williams
Ps. Under new developments in the case, Barbish died in January 08 and his estate is being probated in Manatee County, Florida. There appears to be some contention over many things in his estate, like the POA, but maybe some court will ask for it to be brought out and authenticated again. (Barbish ONLY accepts the sf lab evaluation, even though it gives the lie to being old enough to have been "cultured" by Lao Tsu.)
It is so weird that a man with money trying to sell this pearl did not get it thoroughly authenticated and evaluated, it makes me wonder what the real story is.
What a great mystery. The facts don't seem to mysterious with you on the trail.
"I think t.gigas pearls can not be cored without shattering"
All these pearls being blister pearls, you don't really need to core them. Samples can probably be taken from the back of the pearl.
Although I respect the "Pearl Of Allah" as it comes from The Philippines and it has historical significance but about it being "The Pearl of Lao-Tzu" being lost in the storms and blah blah blah ...
I don't know if I believe that and it is a nice blockbuster movie.
However tha largest cultured South Sea pearl is cultivated by Jewelmer in The Philippines if I remember correctly it is the size of 40 to 45 millimeters, baroque and silvery white. I'm still searching for Mikimoto's largest cultured pearl and I coudn't find it.
In my opinion the world's most beautiful pearl is the one owned by the "Queen Of Diamonds", Elizabeth Taylor's La Peregrina Pearl. If I can find a natural pearl that big I will be the happiest bastard on the face of Planet Earth! The problem is you can't dive without a license here in The Philippines and I don't like tight costumes worn during the traning to get the stupid license. I guess I need to buy my own gear.
I really had so many strange dreams about me diving for pearls and opening countless giant pinctada maxima and finding marbles inside! I mean really marbles!
I don't really believe in signs or dreams but I think I am destined to find the "Pearl Of the Universe". (laughs)
I suggest you buy or read at your nearest libary "The Pearl Road". It is a fantastic book about sunken treasure ships in The Philippines. You can order at Jewelmer.com
gia13615093, are you sure that in your dreams you are finding marbles and not losing your marbles instead?
Since they are marbles then I just casts them away...
I also had a dream once about opening an oyster and finding a polished diamond inside.
There is this place I know that has a natural pearl bed and on the beach I saw broken shreds of ancient Chinese pottery similar to the ones I saw in a museum dated something long before Magellan discovered The Philippines. The next time I went there I saw another and to the next. It could mean there is a sunken vessel just a few paddlings away. I told my Father about it and he doesn't listen.
The sea is calling me. (laughs)
"The Pearl Of Allota trouble"
Just to set the record straight. The estate of Joseph Bonicelli and any and all it's intersts in "The Pearl" has recently been assigned to the children of Eloise Bonicelli in order to settle a judgement re; wrongful death.
I do not know if I should offer congrats, as their attorney, Richard Tegtmeier, did get the District Court to accept the appraisal of 59 million during proceedings in the wrongful death case, or if I should offer my condolences.
Let us just say "time will tell".
I thought that event happened last year. There was a spate of news articles on it June of '08.
I believe Victor Barbish sold interests in that pearl totaling way over 100%. His "estate" is being sued by many people hoping to get their % of the pearl or trying to get their money back for other fraudulent cons where they gave VB money or jewels.
Actually it was June of '07 that the Bonicelli children got their ruling.
Yet the pearl was never seen, let alone put in the possession of the plaintiffs.
It has never been re-authenticated since 1939.
Tegtmaier got the ruling based on the same wrong reports developed since 1960 when the pearl sold for 200K. He just added inflation to a value given in an earlier appraisal. I don't think the Bonicellis will ever see a penny from that pearl! Once it is dug out and re-authenicated, the value will collapse. Getting 200k again will even be a stretch. Don't forget Hoffman who bought the pearl the first time and got a court to award him 1/3 ownership.
For the whole story see http://www.pearl-guide.com/the-pearl-of-allah.shtml
The probate has yet to be settled. In addition to the Bonicelli claim there is in excess of six million in claims against the estate.
The claims include unpaid personal loans, consignment jewelery not returned, alleged unpaid commissions, etc.
Manateeclerk.org Case #41 2008 CP 000106
Below shows detail of one of the largest claims:
1. Plaintiff Kenneth E. Allery, Brig. Gen, USAF (Retired) requests this Court declare that
he is legally entitled to One Million Dollars, U.S. ($ 1,000,000.00) if the Pearl is sold for
an amount of Forty Million Dollars, U.S. ($ 40,000,000.00) or more, that said amount is
to be paid from the gross sale proceeds to which the Estate may be entitled, and that said
amount is an unmatured or contingent claim against the Estate in the Estate Case
(Manatee County Circuit Court, State of Florida, Case No. 2008-CP-l 06).
2. Plaintiff Kenneth E. Allery, Brig. Gen, USAF (Retired) requests this Court declare that
he is legally entitled to five (5%) of the sale price of the 1739 Painting, that said amount
is to be paid from the gross sale proceeds of the 1739 Painting, and that said amount is an
unmatured or contingent claim against the Estate in the Estate Case (Manatee County
Circuit Court, State of Florida, Case No. 2008-CP-106).
3. Plaintiff Brus F. Svihus requests this Court declare that he is legally entitled to One
Million Dollars, U.S. ($ 1,000,000.00) if the Pearl is sold for an amount of Forty Million
Dollars, U.S. ($ 40,000,000.00) or more, that said amount is to be paid from the gross
sale proceeds to which the Estate may be entitled, and that said amount is unmatured or
contingent against the Estate in the Estate Case (Manatee County Circuit Court, State of
Florida, Case No. 2008-CP-I06).
4. Plaintiff Brus F. Svihus requests this Court declare that he is legally entitled to five (5%)
of the sale price of the 1739 Painting, that said amount is to be paid from the gross sale
proceeds of the 1739 Painting, and that said amount is an unmatured or contingent claim
against the Estate in the Estate Case (Manatee County Circuit Court, State of Florida,
Case No. 2008-CP-106).
5. Plaintiff Robert Folsom requests this Court find he is entitled to $ 12,785.17 and $
2,734.62, to enter judgment in the collective amount of $ 15,519.79 against the Estate,
together with interest, litigation costs and attorney's fees.
6. For any other relief the court deems just and proper in the circumstances.
Respectfully submitted this 4th day of June, 2008.
som, Plaintiff
cCulloch Blvd.
Pueblo West,
Thank you for giving me a chance to comment on the thread, again! All the above is public and free information. Just go to Manatee County Courts probate. (There are many more claims than these) and enter "Victor Barbish".
The major point is- the pearl has not been seen by any of the appraisers! Each one has made their guess sight unseen, based on the original incomplete, inaccurate appraisal by Lee Sparrow of the sf gem Lab. No judge or expert has seen the re-certified original. It is a known fact that there are many copies around the world. They are made out of porcelain and can pass for the original as long as there is no malacologist or pearl expert involved.
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