In 2014, a fisherman’s ordinary trip took an extraordinary turn when he stumbled upon a massive pearl weighing 34 kilograms (approximately 75 pounds). Unaware of its true worth, he took it home and kept it under his bed for a decade, believing it to be merely a good luck charm. Little did he know he was sleeping next to a treasure valued at an estimated $100 million.
For ten years, the enormous “baroque” pearl, noted for its irregular shape, remained unnoticed in the fisherman’s home. It wasn’t until 2016, when a relative suggested he have it appraised, that he brought it to the local tourism office in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Officials were astonished to discover that it could be the largest natural pearl ever found, later named the “Puerto Princesa Pearl” or “Pearl of Puerto.”
Despite its estimated value, the fisherman has not sold the pearl, and it has been on display at the Puerto Princesa city hall for several years. The future of the pearl remains uncertain, as selling such a rare item would require finding high-end buyers or museums, but the fisherman’s incredible story is far from over.
