Collector Fave...PINCTADA MAXIMA~2pc~"Gold Lip Oyster" SEASHELL

Description

You are admiring an incredibly duo of amazing specimens, a Pinctada maxima
(Jameson, 1901) more commonly known as a Gold Lip Oysters
&
measuring 56mm & 62.3mm...amazing forms and incredible colorations are displayed
.  These specimens have been highly polished revealing an incredibly irridescent form as well as the very popular "Mother of Pearl" which is highly coveted by jewelers worldwide.  Also, still very popular for use in the button industry & are still made today using Mother of Pearl.  It is also highly sought after by the Asian jewelry market, the species has been overfished and nowadays it's value has gone sky high.  Members of the very obscure Pteriidae family & excellent display pieces in any collection.
Thank you for visiting our store this evening...& an excellent choice, too!!
Copied from Google~"
Pinctada maxima
is a
pearl oyster
, a
marine
bivalve
mollusk
in the family
Pteriidae
, the pearl oysters/saltwater clams. There are two different color varieties: the White-lipped oyster and the Gold-lipped oyster.  These bivalves are the largest pearl oysters in the world. They have a very strong inner shell layer composed of
nacre
, also known as "mother of pearl". They are important in the cultured pearl industry as they are used to produce South Sea pearls, the only species that produces South Sea pearls."