Estimated value between 60 million and 90 million USD.
In Mississauga, Canada, a man named Abraham Reyes was fortunate enough to receive a natural pearl weighing up to 27.65 kg from his grandfather, estimated to be worth between 60 to 90 million USD (1.3 to 2 billion VND).
The man inherited the giant pearl weighing up to 27.65 kg. (Photo: mega.onemega.com).
In fact, Abraham had kept this pearl for many years without knowing its value until he took it for appraisal. Previously, he even believed it was not a pearl at all.
Recently, Abraham Reyes had his pearl verified and discovered it was a giant gem. He named it “Giga Pearl.”
The pearl resembles a giant tooth, known as “Giga Pearl”. (Photo: BBC).
This pearl is four times larger than the previously largest pearl in the world – The Pearl of Lao Tzu, also known as the Pearl of Allah, which was also found in the Philippines in 1939.
Abraham Reyes’s pearl is cream-colored and resembles a giant tooth. He collaborated with artist Bethany Krull (an American) to create a 22K gold-plated copper stand shaped like an octopus to hold the pearl.
Octopus-shaped stand to protect the giant pearl. (Photo: ctvnews.ca)
This giant pearl is a family heirloom of the Reyes family. Abraham’s grandfather acquired the pearl in 1959 and later passed it on to Abraham’s uncle. Abraham recently received this treasure from his grandfather.
His grandfather purchased it from a fisherman in Camiguin, a small island southeast of Manila, surrounded by several volcanoes.
Abraham Reyes stated: “I am very honored to own this pearl. It comes with a great responsibility that my family expects from me.”
The Reyes family has owned the pearl since 1959. (Photo: binokl.cc).
When he wanted to confirm the value of the heirloom pearl, Abraham consulted art advisor Anthony Wu, and together they researched the pearl. They visited the Gemological Institute of America for further investigation. Many studies were conducted. Anthony told him that there had never been a pearl like this in the world, so there was nothing to compare it to.
After extensive research, experts estimate that Abraham’s pearl is over 1,000 years old. The actual value has yet to be determined, but estimates range from 60 to 90 million USD (approximately 2 billion VND).
Abraham Reyes showcased it at the Toronto Auto Show in 2020, allowing many people to admire his family’s precious pearl.
The giant pearl’s value could reach 2 billion VND. (Photo: cbc.ca)
Anthony also explained that giant pearls are mainly found in deep waters near the Philippines, while the oysters are usually located near colorful coral reefs.
In fact, in 2016, a 34 kg pearl with an estimated value of 100 million USD was also discovered in the Philippines. However, this pearl’s value has not yet been officially announced, as the Gemological Institute of America has not been able to accurately measure the data of the aforementioned 34 kg pearl.
