Asheford Institute Of Antiques - Antique & Appraisal Home Study Course
  • Home
  • Free Book
  • About The School
    • Our Objectives & Faculty
  • Course Prospectus
    • Course Outline
    • taking the e-Course
    • 15 Teaching Aids
  • Become An Appraiser
    • USPAP Testing & PACC
    • AIA Appraisers - National Columnists
    • Articles From The Founder
  • Start An Antiques & Vintage Business
    • FAQ's About The Course
    • 2022 Survey Results
    • Our Top Web Picks
  • Conduct Estate Sales
    • Student Testimonials
    • Articles About Asheford
  • Course Tuition
    • Our Pledge To You
    • Asheford News-Ticker Headlines
  • Course Enrollment
    • International Students
  • Student News
    • Student Essays
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy & TOU
  • 2022s Top Antique And Vintage Trends
  • Home
  • Free Book
  • About The School
    • Our Objectives & Faculty
  • Course Prospectus
    • Course Outline
    • taking the e-Course
    • 15 Teaching Aids
  • Become An Appraiser
    • USPAP Testing & PACC
    • AIA Appraisers - National Columnists
    • Articles From The Founder
  • Start An Antiques & Vintage Business
    • FAQ's About The Course
    • 2022 Survey Results
    • Our Top Web Picks
  • Conduct Estate Sales
    • Student Testimonials
    • Articles About Asheford
  • Course Tuition
    • Our Pledge To You
    • Asheford News-Ticker Headlines
  • Course Enrollment
    • International Students
  • Student News
    • Student Essays
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy & TOU
  • 2022s Top Antique And Vintage Trends

World's Largest Antique Pearl Revealed...

6/6/2020

 
PictureAbraham Reyes Stands Next To The Family Pearl
Toronto - Finding positive news can often seem like a somewhat daunting task during these unsettling times. However, out of every crisis often come tales of hope and promise that can move us forward to a better place. Such is the story of a fisherman, an antique collector, and a family's recent unveiling of a pearl that may be the world's largest and most valuable ever found to date.

While the tale of this generational jewel may not reference the long-lost pearl from the legend of Lao Tzu exactly, it is nevertheless likely to be the closest companion piece to the storied fable that you'll ever see. In fact, the recently unveiled pearl was apparently discovered in the very same waters off the coast of the Philippines as the famous Lao Tzu gem.

Flash-forward almost a hundred years from this legend, and a Canadian man from a suburb just outside of Toronto, has recently unwrapped a family heirloom that is now believed to be perhaps the world’s largest natural pearl, weighing in at just under 60 pounds, with an estimated auction value of between $65 to $95 million dollars.

The pearl which comes with a long and colorful family history, was on display for the unveiling outside a vault with the current owner Abraham Reyes, a Mississauga, Ontario man, who inherited it from his great aunt. The off-white pearl which is about the size of a cows head, or baby, is encircled by a 22 carat gilded octopus which holds it in place. The pearl itself is estimated to be about a thousand years old, and possibly much older.

Reyes told reporters at the unveiling that he first saw the pearl when he was very, very young. "I was around seven years old,” Reyes said, “But the value of those things never played in my mind at the time.” 

PictureGilded Octopus Holds Pearl In Place
Experts are still pouring over the pictures and further examinations have to be completed, however, assuming everything pans-out as presented, then the pearl would far outweigh the infamous Pearl of Lao Tzu, which rings in at a speck over 15 pounds, and has long been considered the world's record-holder. (Notwithstanding the purported - but as of yet - not fully substantiated catch of an even larger pearl caught by a Filipino fisherman a few years ago).

Reye's says that he gets his interest in old things and gems honestly as they were both areas of personal interest that were passed on down to him by his great aunt. According to Reyes, his aunt, who lived in Manila, was an avid and renowned collector of oriental art, pre-colonial antiques, and sea related artifacts, including rare shells, and enjoyed sharing her passion with Reyes. His aunt received the pearl from Reyes Grandfather who suitcased it into Canada in 1959, after acquiring it from a local fisherman (both of whom apparently had no idea of its value at the time), before it was eventually passed onto Reyes as part of a collection of family heirlooms. In fact, Reyes claims that he and the rest of the family didn't even know it was a pearl until just a few years ago when someone suggested they have it examined by the Gemological Institute Of America.  

Reyes says that what's funny is when people used to see the pearl in his house, they often thought it was simply a fancy sea-sculpture of an octopus with tentacles encasing a rock, "They literally had no idea it was a pearl," he said. "But then again, just prior to that... neither did I."

When asked about the prospect of bringing it to auction, Reyes stated that it would stay in the family, but that he would like to see it come out of the vault more often. “My goal is to have it brought to the museums or even some of the major galleries for the world to see it,” Reyes said. He wants to teach the public about preserving antiquities, along with the history of pearls, why they're so valuable, and the need for raising environmental awareness. “Natural pearls are a reflection of our delicate ecosystem,” he said, "We need to protect all of it."

For the rest of us, this is clearly an educational tale of why it pays to be nice to your elderly relatives!

​
- A.I.A. Writers

Picture
NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. 

Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: 
info@asheford.com or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508

    AIA Staff

    We're providing our students and reader's with the latest breaking news on events and happenings that we think might be of interest to both collectors and dealers alike. Including changes within the world of antiques, vintage, collectibles and appraising that might just have an effect on your bottom line. We're also interested in hearing from you - so if you've got a great newsworthy story, let us know, and you just might find it here!

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Legal Disclaimer: Extraneous opinions, statements and comments made by individuals represented within these posts do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. The publication naming of specific business entities, organizations, and concerns, contained herein, in no way represents an endorsement or recommendation of services or products by the Institute. Publicly identifiable information contained herein (including, but not limited to contact information), has been intentionally limited where possible, due to privacy and legal concerns related to the digital dissemination of information through online means. All views expressed herein are those of their respective owners. The Institute is in no way responsible, financially or otherwise, for the accuracy or validity of statements contained within published posts from sources that originate and appear outside of the written and expressed views of those submitted by the Institute.

Free Prospectus Book

Picture
To receive your free hard-copy Course Prospectus Book about the Asheford Program (or to ask us a question), simply click on the
link below:
​ FREE BOOK

Social Media:

>>  Facebook
>>  ​Instagram
>>  Twitter

To Contact Us

Picture
Admissions Office & Information Hotline
Toll Free: 877-444-4508
Fax 705-645-2380
Web Page Form: Contact Us
E
mail: info@asheford.com

US Offices:
Asheford Institute of Antiques
981 Highway 98 E. Ste. 3, Dept. 275
Destin, FL 32541-2525

Canadian Offices:
Asheford Institute of Antiques
Ste. 313
200 Manitoba Street
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2
T. 705-645-5589

Our Friends & Awards

Picture
"International Antiques & Arts Society"
Member & Award Winner

Picture
"Antiques & Collectibles National Association"

Picture
"Association Of Restorers"

Home  |  Privacy Policy & TOU  |  Contact Us  
Copyright© 1994-2023 Asheford.com. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Free Book
  • About The School
    • Our Objectives & Faculty
  • Course Prospectus
    • Course Outline
    • taking the e-Course
    • 15 Teaching Aids
  • Become An Appraiser
    • USPAP Testing & PACC
    • AIA Appraisers - National Columnists
    • Articles From The Founder
  • Start An Antiques & Vintage Business
    • FAQ's About The Course
    • 2022 Survey Results
    • Our Top Web Picks
  • Conduct Estate Sales
    • Student Testimonials
    • Articles About Asheford
  • Course Tuition
    • Our Pledge To You
    • Asheford News-Ticker Headlines
  • Course Enrollment
    • International Students
  • Student News
    • Student Essays
  • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy & TOU
  • 2022s Top Antique And Vintage Trends