Appreciating the value of beauty has always been a human trait. Who does not contemplate God’s beautiful creations. But, when it comes to women, the level of appreciation goes upwards, as women value jewelry: diamonds, rubies and pearls. Anyways, pearls do not demand further steps of modification to be valued. It does not matter whether the pearls is actually a part of a necklace or it stands by itself and we can value them by ourselves. In this TopTen article we introduce you the world’s most expensive pearls ever.
10 Three Strand Natural Pearl Necklace [$1.4 Million]
This three strand pearl necklace was placed at auction at New York Magnificent Jewels via Christie’s, “a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful” The necklace has 180 graduated natural pearls skilfully stitched. These pearls are noted for the various sizes, as they range from 4.95 to 11.05 millimeters in diameter. They are perfectly matched and cannot be more exquisite and spellbinding. The three strands of the necklace are joined by ornate cabochon emerald and diamond clasp that render everyone speechless and gazing at the beauty before their eyes.
9 Marie Antoinette-Barbara Hutton single strand [$1.6 Million]
The pearls convey great historic implication as it once owned by Marie Antoinette, the queen consort of King Louis XVI, the monarch of France. The necklace eventually came into Barbara Hutton‘s hands, the granddaughter of Woolworth department store magnate. Barbara Hutton wore the pearl necklace on her wedding day to her first husband, the Russian Prince Alexis Mdivani in 1933. The necklace comprises forty-four pearls that vary in size, ranging from 8.7 to 16.33 millimetres joined together by a diamond and turquoise clasp that add an exquisite touch. The necklace was sold for the sum of $1.6 million in 1999.
8 Five Strand Natural Pearls [$1.7 Million]
This five-strand natural pearl necklace was also placed for auction by Christie’s in 2012. The innermost strand encompasses sixty-three individual natural pearls. The next strand features sixty-eight graduated natural pearls, followed by a strand that is consisted of seventy-two pearls. The fourth and fifth strands both have seventy-three graduated natural pearls. The pearls vary in size, ranging from 4.10 to 11.35 millimetres. What renders the pearls spellbinding is the blue and gold silk cord that joins this necklace together. The necklace sold for nearly $1.7 million in 2012 at a Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction.
7 Cowdray Pearls [$5.3 Million]
As one can see, Cowdray Pearls necklace is one of the most pricey pearls in the world. The reason why it is costly is that it is scarce and quite thin on the ground. The necklace consists of a single strand of thirty-eight individual grey pearls varying in in size- ranging from 11.4 to 6.8 millimetres and it measures 43.2 centimetres in length, joined together by a rectangular mixed cut diamond clasp. Elegance and purity are perfectly added to such pearls. These pearls were auctioned at Christie’s London in 2002 for $3 million. The late Lady Pearson, later Viscountess Cowdray, owned them among her valuable collection as they were sold off for auction at Sotheby’s London in 1937, stating that “there is probably no finer collection of such pearls in existence” The pearls were once again sold at auction Sotheby’s Hong Kong by A Hong Kong investor for $5.3 million, according to India Rows.
6 The Pearl of Lao Tzu [$3.5 Million]
Here we come the largest natural pearl in the world so far. An intriguing story lies behind discovering it in the Philippines in the thirties. Discovered by an American man, Wilburn Cobb, who wrote an article about having such a calm pearl in Natural History Magazine. The pearl has been attached to sanctity since being unveiled as Cobb refused to sell or let go of it as the pearl resembles the turbaned head of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. Weighing over 14 pounds, the pearl is 24 centimetres in diameter and 9.45 inches in length. The pearl is imperfectly perfect as it almost has no luster, but still very scarce and is worth the gum sum of $3.5 million.
5 Double Strand Necklace [$3.7 Million]
How many pearls do you think are comprised in our perfectly stitched, double strand necklace? It contains 120 individual pearls skillfully stitched. The individual pearls vary in size, ranging from 6.50 to 12.25 millimetres in diameter, so they are rationally large. They also vary in variegation, pluming from white to a very light cream color. The pearls are noted for superfine rosé and green hues. The luxurious nature of it lies mostly in the three carat diamond clasp signed by Cartier, joining this double strand necklace together. In 2012, this necklace was sold at auction at Christie’s for $3.7 million.
4 The Big Pink Pearl [$4.7 Million]
There is nothing more perfect or more special than an abalone pearl that comes right from nature. In 1990, the Big Pink Pearl was discovered by diver Wesley Rankin. Weighing 470 carats, the abalone pearl has drawn attention to its noticeably big size. It is iridescent pink in color. Surprisingly, its exquisite nacre or mother of pearl is multi-hued, as it flaunts various tinges of orange, silver, blue, pink, green and lavender. In 1991, the value of the ‘big pink pearl’ was estimated at $4.7 million. Currently, it is owned by Rankin, the largest abalone pearl dealer in the world, as he is the owner of the company “Pacific Coast Pearls” based in Petaluma, California.
3 The Baroda Pearl Necklace [$7.1 Million]
The Baroda Pearls owned by the Maharaja of Baroda in an unparalleled seven-strand, ideally suited and matched pearl necklace. It has sixty-eight pearls carefully chosen, for being the best, from the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rows of the before mention authentic Maharaja of Baroda’s seven-strand necklace, which known as “Saath Lahda”. Each pearl matches the other on the opposite string in color, size and shape. The pearls are rationally large, ranging from 10 to 16 millimetres in diameter. What renders such pearl necklace perfect is that a cushion-cut diamond signed by Cartier joins the strands together. In 2007, it was sold for a whopping price; $7.1 million.
2 La Peregrina Pearl [$11.8 Million]
Although La Peregrina Pearl is the second most expensive and famous pearl in the world, interesting stories and historical event lies behind it. In the mid-16th century, the pearl was unveiled on the coast of Santa Margarita, a Spanish colony, in the Gulf of Panama. Then, Phillip II of Spain gifted the pearl to Mary I for his proposal. As the queen died, the pearl was returned back to the Crown of Spain. One century later, after the French were defeated at the Battle of Vitoria, Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, was obliged to leave the Spanish kingdom. As a result, he took some of the crown jewels, including the La Peregrina Pearl. Then, Napoleon III sold the Pearl to James Hamilton, Duke of Abercorn, after his, Napoleon III’s, exile in 1870. The necklace features equally spaced floral patterns, each one is embellished with a ruby as its centerpiece. In 1969, La Peregrina was purchased for $37,000 by actor Richard Burton as he gifted it to his wife, Elizabeth Taylor. It was said that it was sold by Christie’s in 2011 for $11.8 million.
1 Beauty of Ocean Pearl [$139 Million]
Finally, the biggest and most expensive pearl in the world is “Beauty of Ocean” Pearl. So, what is the story behind the famous and alluring pearl? The year it was discovered and shown to the world. It took three years for this pearl to be ground into this surprising shape. Composed of fluorite, the green pearl has the potentials to glow in the dark. Being the biggest pearl in the world, it weighs six tonnes and is five feet high. The world was lucky enough to unearth such a gem in Mongolia, China. Such a rich place with exorbitant and worthy gems and pearls! Such a luxurious gem stands at $139 million.
Hopefully, people are always in search for more valuable pearls as such beauties that we cherish are what keeps the world lovable.