This amazing specimen is part of a long held family collection of vintage fresh water pearls from Lake Biwa, Japan. Harvested some time in the mid 1960's this is one giant pearl that emcompassed many many smaller pearls while in the host. This type of pearl is commonly called a "dragon pearl". From Fuji I have learned that pearls like this are only found in the 3rd harvest (meaning that the host animal of this pearl had already produced many many pearls before this was found. The pearl has strength throughout (despite it's shape, it is quite solid and quietly screaming for someone to make it an amazing brooch). There is a cavity on the backside of the pearl (easily concealed with a setting). The luster is FANTASTIC and the colors are cool white with brilliant silver and blue flashes (I could not quite capture its pure glow in these photos). The pearl measures just over 2.5" long x 1" wide.
Always a fan of the unusual, Rudolf Voll (Pacific Pearls) and family started collecting cultured Japanese freshwater pearls some 50 years ago. For more information on fresh water pearls from Lake Biwa, please read Fuji's article
ID#KDPL1230
