UNIQUE PEARL.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1924, Page 1

UNIQUE PEARL.

TREASURE FOR EMPIRE EXHIBITION. SYDNEY. Feb. 28. European connoisseurs in pearls who visit the British .Empire Exhibition will receive a. surprise when they see what Australia can produce in the shape of a beautiful and extraordinary pearl which has been found at Port Jledland, in West Australia. The weight of the gem is estimated at between GO and 70 grains, and were it spherical, it is said that its value would certainly run into several thousand pounds. it is three-storeyed, and its freak shape, while rendering it entirely remarkable, detracts from its value, which is nevertheless estimated at some hundreds of pounds. Thy upper storey is a beautiful dome, the base of which is marked by a complete and perfectly even narrow band of black. Then tiie gem contracts in graceful curves to a short thin stein, only to swell again to an almost complete dome. The bottom of this is slightly flattened and marked by another narrow Mack hand, while below a small button forms the third storey. The whole is as perfectly symmertical as if it had been turned on a lathe by some master-craftsman. Two niicli g.-ms would make a magnificent pair of oar-ring pendants, bill the world might well he searched for a lile-time without finding a counterpart to this unique specimen of the pearl-oyster’s work.