A fisherman kept a 34kg pearl hidden under his bed for ten years. He had no idea it was worth an astonishing $100 million.
In the Philippines, a fisherman has unknowingly kept a pearl weighing 34 kilograms under his bed for ten years.
This pearl could be the largest natural one ever found.
If it is confirmed as genuine, its value might reach $100 million.
The man found the 34kg pearl while fishing 10 years ago
The fisherman, who lives in Puerto Princesa, made this incredible find while fishing over a decade ago.
His boat’s anchor got stuck on a giant clam, prompting him to dive into the water to free it.
During this unexpected encounter, he discovered the enormous pearl inside the clam.
Instead of realizing its worth, he decided to keep it as a good luck charm, placing it under his bed for safekeeping.
The fisherman’s aunt discovered the true value of it
For years, the fisherman regarded the pearl as just a personal treasure, unaware of its potential significance.
It wasn’t until he moved to another area that he decided to give the treasure to his aunt, Aileen Cynthia Maggay-Amurao.
Aileen works as a tourism officer for the local government and quickly recognizes the unusual weight of it.
She mentioned that he brought it to her because it was quite heavy and he thought she could help.
Aileen immediately understood that it could be something special, so she began researching its origins and potential value.
She has since reached out to experts to authenticate the pearl and determine its worth.
According to her, there are no records of a pearl this size being found before.
She said: “So far based on our research in the web we cannot find any recorded article about this kind and as big as this size.
“He said every time he goes out for fishing, he will touch the pearl.”
The valuable object may be worth $100 million if it’s confirmed natural
If it is confirmed to have originated from a giant clam, it could make the fisherman a multi-millionaire overnight.
The current record for the largest pearl belongs to the Pearl of Lao Tzu, which weighed 6.4 kilograms and was found in 1939.
If verified, it would dwarf that record by nearly 30 kilograms, making it a significant contender for the title of the world’s largest natural pearl.
Currently, the pearl is being displayed at New Green City Hall in Puerto Princesa.
The mayor, Lucilo R. Bayon, received the pearl from Aileen and hopes it will attract tourists to the area, enhancing local interest and boosting the economy.
Aileen believes that if it is certified, it could bring a prestigious title to Puerto Princesa.
With the local community’s support, she has shared the story on social media, asking for help in raising awareness.
Her post quickly gained traction, with thousands of shares, as locals expressed pride in their heritage and excitement over the potential discovery.