The Giga Pearl is the largest natural pearl ever discovered and is certified by the Gemological Institute of America. According to some media reports, it’s believed to be valued at more than $AUD150 million.
The Giga Pearl is listed in the Guinness World Record at 27.65 kilograms and 138,254 carats. It is on display until 18 March as part of the Beneath The Surface exhibition at Avante Garde in Toronto.
The pearl is owned by artist Abraham Reyes, a Toronto artist who inherited the treasure as a family heirloom. His grandfather, a fisherman in the Phillipines, discovered it.
"I wanted to educate people about it. A lot of people don't know that these giant clams exist because they're endemic in the South Pacific. So this is something fascinating for people here in Toronto,” Reyes told CBC.
“[The exhibition] highlights themes of natural and cultural complexity, exploring the intersection of history, resilience, and the forces that define what is rare and valuable.”
The exhibition was created by Reyes and features a variety of natural gemstones and pearls.
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