A poor fisherman found a rare orange pearl worth $342,000 in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
37-year-old Hatchai Niyomdecha was collecting some shells with his family when he found a discarded buoy washed ashore with many shells stuck to it so they have decided to take it home.
While cleaning the shells, he found the 7.68-gram pearl formed by a sea snail known as Melo Melo.
Hatchai immediately called his wife, 35-year-old Worachat Niyomdecha, and their two children to inspect the gorgeous gem.
The next day, they asked about the orange pearl among their neighbors who flocked to their house after discovering that the item is an extremely expensive pearl.
Hatchai said that he had a strange dream a few days before he stumbled upon the pearl.
“An old man in white with a long moustache told me to come to the beach so I can receive a gift. I think he led me to finding the pearl,” he said. “I want to sell the pearl for the highest price. The money won’t just change my life, it will change my destiny. My whole family will have better lives.”
He believes that the man in his dream was a deity who wanted to help him out.
A potential buyer from China is now negotiating with the family to purchase the pearl for 10 million Baht (332,000) but he wanted to see the item for himself if it was a real Melo pearl.
Melo pearls are beautiful creations of nature that are formed by Melo snails. They are known for their natural patterns, smooth porcelain luster, and sophisticated color.
Melo snails populate the South China Sea but they can also be found around Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar.
While mussels and oysters can be cultured to create pearls, the Melo pearl hasn’t been successfully cultured. This makes every melo pearl more desirable as no human interference was involved.
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