Worlds Largest Pearl
The Worlds Largest Pearl measures about 10 inches and weighs approximately 14.1 lbs, measuring an approximate 31,893. carats. The pearl was discovered around 1934 off the coast of Palawan. The pearl is also known as the “Pearl of Lao Tzu” or “The Pearl of Allah.”
Today, it is the largest natural pearl in the world and not to mention the most expensive. But wait, that’s not the most interesting part about the pearl. Even more interesting is that in 1934, Wilburn Cobb an American traveler also witnessed a giant clam with a whole mans body remains sticking out if its jaws. That same clam who killed the diver, also happened to be the mother of the largest pearl in the world. More than likely the diver was trying to retrieve the pearl from the giant clam.
The clam was then taken out of the water and the pearl was then removed from the mouth of the clam on May 07, 1934 by another Filipino diver. Upon seeing the remains of the diver in the clams jaws, the local Muslim Tribe Chief was immediately amazed by the large pearl that the clam had created. The Chief then named it “The Pearl of Allah” as he felt it resembled a turban face which could also resemble Muhammad. This obviously was no ordinary pearl as pearls that come from oysters and mussels usually have a nice pearly shine to it. The outside of the “Pearl of Lao Tzu” however, has more of a porcelain look to it. Because of its porcelain outside, it is also categorized as a non-nacreous pearl.
Chief Panglima Pisi first Owner of 14.1 Pound Pearl
Wilburn Cobb, the American that was in the Philippines at the time that the pearl was discovered, offered to buy it from the local chief. However, the chief refused to sell it as he said that the sacrifice paid by the diver cannot be paid with money.
A couple years later the chiefs son was very ill with malaria and Wilburn Cobb the american traveler saved his life by nursing him based off nursing traits he learned in America. The chief then gave the pearl to Cobb as a gift of gratitude because he saved the Chif’s sons’ life. Wilburn Cobb then brought the pearl to America and over the years he had numerous offers for the pearl, but he rejected every single one of them. He eventually died in 1980. After his death, Cobbs relatives sold the pearl to Peter Hoffman a jeweler from Beverly Hills for a ridiculous $200,000, with the jeweler knowing very well, that the pearl was worth millions at the time.
Son of Chief Saved by Cobb from Malararia
Since its discovery, the pearl has always beens stronlgy desired by many influential and powerful men such as the president of the Philippines and several wealthy middle eastern men. Some credible sources even indicate that Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussain tried to purchase the Worlds Largest Pearl.