Melo melo pearls are amongst the rarest gems in the world. They're created by the Indian Volute (also known as the zebra snail or Melo Melo): an extremely large marine gastropod from the Volutidae family, found in Southeastern Asian waters. These large melo snails inhabit shallow waters off the coasts of Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. Natural melo melo pearls are produced when an irritant, such as a parasite, enters the mollusk. As a defense mechanism, the snail will coat the irritant with a calcium carbonate over time producing a porcelaneous, non-nacreous pearl. The finest melo pearls are an intense orange color with visible flame structure. This flame-like or silk-like appearance is due to a phenomena known as chatoyancy.
This extremely rare natural melo melo weighs 25.77 carats and has eye visible flame patterning! Its drop shape makes it a perfect candidate for your next custom necklace or pendant.
Accompanied by GIA Pearl Report #6227012249.
| PEARL DETAILS | |
| Quantity: | 1 |
| Type: | Melo Melo |
| Mollusk: | Melo Species |
| Nature: | Natural |
| Environment: | Saltwater |
| Size: | 17.83 x 13.90 x 13.53mm |
| Shape: | Drop |
| Color: | Orange, Natural |
| Luster: | Porcelaneous |
| Phenomenon: | Chatoyancy (Flame Patterning) |
| Treatments: | None |
| Carat Weight: | 25.77 ct. |
| GIA Report Number: | 6227012249 |