A Canadian man kept a family heirloom in a safe deposit box for years, without realizing what it actually was: a 27 kg natural pearl.
The pearl, possibly the world’s largest and costliest, weighs 27.65 kilograms— four times the weight of the Lao-Tzu Pearl, also called the Pearl of Allah, which until recently was thought to be the world's largest.
Abraham Reyes, 34, kept the family heirloom in a safe deposit box, after it came to him from his aunt a few years ago, according to CBC.
Named the Giga Pearl, the white and cream-coloured gem looks like a huge tooth.
Reyes’ family “didn't know it was worth anything — didn't even know it was a pearl.”
"Nobody really looked at it ... it doesn't look like a pearl," Reyes said.
Two experts recently told Reyes it's the largest pearl they've ever seen. Insurance appraisers say it may be worth between $60 million and $90 million.
"It's priceless to me," Reyes told CBC Toronto, adding he wanted a place to show it off.
Reyes had already gotten a 22-karat gold leaf octopus built to hold it.
The gigapearl, an Ontario family's heirloom tracing back when the grandfather gifted it, could be the largest natural pearl #Canada #philippines #vancouver #toronto #montreal pic.twitter.com/QiH4JHUaFb— Millennials of Canada (@millennialsofCA) March 28, 2019
"I want to find a place for it to be showcased," he said, adding he believes the pearl has scientific importance. "I believe the world should know that it does exist."
