New Delhi: World’s largest pearl—passed down for 800 years, from Chinese emperors to Marco Polo is now up for auction at Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace and on the Internet, where it is estimated to fetch over $8 million.
Interestingly, the person who owned the world’s largest natural pearl prior to the auction chooses to keep his name under wraps. Hundreds of curious onlookers and perspective buyers are waiting to get a glimpse of the ‘Arco Valley Pearl’ that measures 3.1 inches in length.
The 575-carat pearl from 12th century Mongolia once belonged to Chinese emperors, Persian kings, the grandson of Genghis Khan and Marco Polo, states The Associated Press.
''It's 800 years old and it still takes your breath away,'' Khaled al-Sayegh, 35, a jeweler was quoted by AP.
There is another ‘mammoth’ pearl that measures 9.45-inches and is called the Pearl of Allah. A diver off the Philippine island of Palawan discovered it in 1934. However, lies at a museum in the country and is not meant for sale.
The Arco Valley pearl, named after a previous owner from Austria's Arco Valley family dynasty, is white with a touch of blue, mixed with pink and cream colors on its sides. It has been drilled three times: to fit among the jewels of an unknown woman's tiara, to go with a ceremonial mandarin suit and to fit a crown or turban decorated with precious stones belonging to a Persian king, said The Associated Press.
At least 400 people from the Emirates, Gulf countries, China, India, Britain, the U.S. and Tahiti are expected to attend the auction.
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