Though pearls can be found in a variety of conch, it is the pearl from the Strombus Gigas or Queen Conch, that has become the most widely known and collected. This is due in part to the wide variety of colors that it produces. Pearls can be found in colors of white, brown, beige, orange, pink and red, the latter two being the most highly prized. Fished for food from all over the Caribbean and Central American oceans, conch meat is a staple of the local diet as well as an important export product. Finding a gem-quality conch pearl is known amongst fishermen as "the lotto". High prices are paid for such pearls, further adding to their allure. Over the last century, conch pearls have captured the attention of prestigious designers and jewelers alike. Conch pearls can be found in the world's most exclusive jewelry stores. Like all pearls, the conch pearl is produced by a living organism and is sensitive to acids and solvents. Conch pearls are also sensitive to prolonged exposure to bright sunlight. There are gorgeous examples of conch pearls in jewelry that is over a century old and the flame in the pearls is still visible, so please take care of your pearls, and all the fear with a grain of salt (not sand). For those who seek the finest in natural gems, the conch pearl offers a beauty and rarity that no other can duplicate.
