List of pearls by size

A pearl is a hard, glistening object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk or another animal, such as a conulariid. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is composed of calcium carbonate (mainly aragonite or a mixture of aragonite and calcite){{sfn|Farn|2013|p=2}} in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes, known as baroque pearl can occur.

The finest quality of natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries. Because of this, pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable. The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but are extremely rare. These wild pearls are referred to as natural pearls. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels make up the majority of those currently sold. Whether wild or cultured, gem-quality pearls are almost always nacreous and iridescent, like the interior of the shell that produces them. However, almost all species of shelled mollusks are capable of producing pearls (technically "calcareous concretions") of lesser shine or less spherical shape.

There is a lot of myth and legend surrounding some of these pearls. The Pearl of Lao Tzu for a long time thought to be the largest pearl, but claims about its size and much of its history were found to be fabricated by a conman by the name of Victor Barbish.{{sfn|LaPointe|2018|p=}} Other pearls like the Centaur Pearl, most likely the largest gem pearl at {{convert|856.58|carat|g}}, have just recently emerged from private collections.{{sfn|Matlins|2001|p=17}}

• List of gold nuggets by size
• Servilia's pearl

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• {{cite web |last=BBC News|authorlink=BBC News|date=December 14, 2011|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-16161592|title =Elizabeth Taylor jewellery auction fetches $116m |work = BBC News| access-date = August 29, 2019 }}
• {{cite web |last=Christie's|authorlink=Christie's|date=December 13, 2011|url = https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/la-peregrinaa-natural-pearl-diamond-ruby-and-5507887-details.aspx|title =SALE 2623: The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: The Legendary Jewels, Evening Sale (I)|publisher = Christie's| access-date = August 29, 2019 }}
• {{cite web |last=Daley|first=Jason |date=June 12, 2018|url = https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/collector-pay-big-bucks-worlds-largest-freshwater-pearl-180969235/|title =The Odyssey of the World's Largest Freshwater Pearl|publisher = Smithsonian Institution| access-date = August 29, 2019 }}
• {{cite web |last=Domonoske|first=Camila|date=August 24, 2016|url = https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/08/24/491191461/filipino-fisherman-reveals-75-pound-pearl-he-kept-hidden-for-a-decade |title =Filipino Fisherman Reveals 75-Pound Pearl He Kept Hidden For A Decade |publisher = NPR| access-date = August 27, 2019 |quote=}}
• {{cite book |last=Farn|first=Alexander E. | title = Pearls: Natural, Cultured and Imitation|year=2013| publisher = Elsevier| isbn= 9781483162737}} - Total pages: 160
• {{cite web |last=Galante|first=Meredith |date=December 19, 2011|url = https://www.businessinsider.com/elizabeth-taylor-la-peregrina-pearl-2011-12|title =A Funny Story About The Elizabeth Taylor Pearl That Set A World Record Last Week|publisher = Business Insider| access-date = August 29, 2019 }}
• {{cite web |last=Gourley|first=Dayna |date=March 28, 2019|url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/largest-pearl-giga-1.5073708|title =Mississauga, Ont., man's been hiding what could be the world's largest pearl — now he wants to show it off|publisher = CBC News| access-date = August 28, 2019 |quote=}}
• {{cite web |last=Guinness World Records|authorlink=Guinness World Records|date=2019|url = https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-abalone-pearl |title =Largest abalone pearl |publisher = Guinness World Records| access-date = August 27, 2019 |quote=}}
• {{cite news |date= December 17, 1945|title= French Police Get Back Biggest Pearl|last=LIFE|authorlink=Life (magazine)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4UgEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Pearl+of+Asia%22+carret&pg=PA134|newspaper=LIFE Magazine|publisher=Time Inc. |issn=0024-3019|pages=136 |access-date= August 29, 2019 }}
• {{cite book |last=Matlins|first=Antoinette L. | title = The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide - How to Select, Buy, Care for and Enjoy Pearls|year=2001| publisher = Gemstone Press| isbn= 9780943763354}} - Total pages: 198
• {{cite web |last=LaPointe|first=Michael |date=June 1, 2018|url = https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2148579/worlds-largest-pearl-fantastical-tale-80-year |title =The world's largest pearl: fantastical tale of an 80-year hoax and the men and women who lost millions to its dubious charms|publisher = South China Morning Post| access-date = August 29, 2019 }}
• {{cite book |last=Thomas|first=Alex | title = The Pearl City|year=2009| publisher = Dorrance Publishing| isbn= 9781434949028 }}

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{{List of precious stones by size}}

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Category:Pearls

Category:Gemstone-related lists

Pearls