Rare Abalone Pearls - 1Earth Jewelry, Gemstone & Appraisals Magazine

Rare Abalone Pearls Donated to GIA

Abalone is mostly found off the coast of California in the U.S. and Baja California in Mexico. However, it can also be found off the Korean coast.

“Sometimes you find pieces that are baroque or asymmetrical,” explained Bell. “I think those are the most beautiful. The round pearls aren’t always the most beautiful. It really is in the eye of the beholder.”

A $135,000 gift of rare abalone pearls was recently donated to GIA in Carlsbad, Calif. K.C. Bell, an avid 20-year abalone shell collector, endowed his extensive collection of pearls to the Institute.

Bell, who typically sells the prized treasures he finds to jewelry designers, gem dealers and collectors, said only one in 500,000 abalone shells will produce a gem-quality abalone pearl.

He explained that abalone pearls in general are extremely rare because of the declining number of shells that are found each year. Bell said white to cream-colored pearls are the rarest.

Bell’s donation included flat, free-pointed and free-standing pearls. Other pieces were still connected to the shell.

“My goal (in donating the pearls) was to turn the students at GIA on to this material,” said Bell. “Over the years I’ve tried to hold on to these pieces because there have been times when I’ve found a piece, then found its matching piece three years later and 800 miles away.”

GIA Insider: Jan. 10, 2003: abalone pearl and shell, 250 px Rare abalone pearls and shells such as this one were donated to GIA by K.C. Bell.

“The rarity and beauty of these pearls is absolutely phenomenal,” said Pat Syvrud, GIA’s Development associate. “We are enormously grateful to Mr. Bell for his generous contribution to the Institute.”

Jan. 23, 2003