Colorful pearls are rare, researchers say that colored ones are definitely more than 1000 years old or more. They are rare gems of very high value.
Often they will be made jewelry, but with colorful pearls, they are also used as medicines or skin creams to help whiten skin, anti-aging.
Each of these gems is worth thousands of pounds and not everyone can afford them.
Pearls have been treasured for centuries for their natural beauty and rarity. They are formed inside the shells of certain mollusks, such as oysters and clams, when an irritant, such as a grain of sand, becomes trapped and the mollusk layers it with nacre, a substance that gives pearls their lustrous appearance. While pearls are already considered valuable, recent discoveries of pearls over 1000 years old and worth over £400,000 have astonished experts and collectors alike.
The incredible finds were made in the sea clams (Arctica islandica) off the coast of North Iceland, known for their longevity and slow growth. These clams are known to live for hundreds of years and can grow to be quite large. In fact, they are the longest-lived marine animals on record, with some specimens estimated to be over 500 years old!
During routine scientific research by a team from Bangor University and the University of Oxford, the team stumbled upon these rare pearls while studying the age and growth patterns of the sea clams. The pearls were found in the clam’s soft tissues, nestled within their organs, and were dated to be over 1000 years old using radiocarbon dating techniques.
The pearls are unique in size and color, with some measuring up to 8 millimeters in diameter and displaying a striking iridescent hue. They are believed to have formed naturally over the course of centuries as the clams deposited layers of nacre around the irritants, resulting in these rare and valuable gems.
Experts estimate the value of these ancient pearls to be worth over £400,000, making them a truly priceless find. Due to their historical significance and unique characteristics, these pearls are likely to garner significant attention from collectors, jewelers, and pearl enthusiasts around the world.
The discovery of these pearls provides valuable insights into the longevity and growth patterns of sea clams, as well as the natural processes that result in the formation of pearls. It also highlights the enduring allure and mystique of these precious gems, which have been cherished by humans for centuries.
In conclusion, the recent discovery of pearls over 1000 years old, worth over £400,000, found in sea clams off the coast of North Iceland is a truly remarkable find. These ancient pearls offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of natural pearls and their enduring value. As further research continues, these priceless treasures will undoubtedly continue to captivate the imagination of pearl enthusiasts and collectors alike.