The Largest Pearl in the World: A Fisherman Slept Next to a $100 Million Treasure for 10 Years (4 photos)

A man hid what may be the largest natural pearl ever found in his home for over 10 years. He didn't even know he was sleeping next to a fortune worth $100 million.





In 2014, a man from the Philippines went on an ordinary fishing trip that turned into an extraordinary find. He found a giant pearl weighing 34 kilograms.

The fisherman did not submit his find for examination. Instead, it went under the man’s bed, where it remained for 10 long years as a simple good luck charm.



In Search of a Giant Pearl: A Fisherman’s Luck

It was an ordinary day of fishing in Palawan, a province in the western Philippines known for its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and abundant marine life. The fisherman (whose name has been withheld for privacy reasons) wasn’t looking for pearls. He was going about his daily business when he noticed his anchor was stuck inside a giant clam, and inside was something unusual: a massive, irregularly shaped, mother-of-pearl object. The fisherman, not realizing its true value, saw it as an interesting find, but nothing more.





Instead of turning the pearl over to the authorities or having it appraised, the man took it home. He placed it under his bed, thinking it would bring him good luck. Little did the fisherman know, he was literally sleeping next to a fortune worth $100 million.

The Pearl's Decade Under the Bed

For 10 years, the giant pearl lay under the fisherman's bed, collecting dust. Over the years, it became a part of the family's daily life. They may have glanced at it occasionally, perhaps even wondered about its origin, but to them it was nothing more than a large, unusually shaped object.



The find was not the classic, shiny, round stone that most people associate with a pearl. Instead, it was a "baroque pearl," an irregular, natural formation that can take centuries to grow. They are famous for their unique, one-of-a-kind shapes. Despite its enormous size and weight, the fisherman's family didn't think much of it. To them, it was just an unusual object found in the sea.

Shocking Discovery: From Good Luck Charm to Priceless Gemstone

Ten years after the pearl lay quietly under the fisherman's bed, a relative of his suggested that he take the object for examination.

The man decided to take the giant pearl to the local tourist office. Experts were shocked when they saw the object, realizing that it was not just a random marine artifact, but possibly the largest natural pearl ever discovered.

The pearl, now called the "Puerto Princesa Pearl" or "Pearl of Puerto", was tested by experts who estimated its value at a staggering $100 million.

Why is this pearl worth $100 million

The answer lies in the rarity, size, and uniqueness of the pearl. It is a natural formation, meaning it has not been cultured like many pearls used in jewelry. It formed naturally inside a giant clam, a process that can take hundreds of years.

Its irregular, baroque shape also adds to its value, as these types of pearls are much rarer than perfectly round pearls.