The Odyssey of the World’s Largest Freshwater Pearl

The Sleeping Lion, the world’s largest freshwater pearl, isn’t round and beautiful, or even particularly pretty. In fact, under the right light, the pearl resembles one of the wrinklier creatures of the Star Wars universe. But chances are its latest buyer, who picked it up for $374,000 at auction in the Hague, Netherlands, last month, doesn’t mind.

Deustsche Welle reports that this is the first time the Sleeping Lion, which measures 2.7 inches and weighs in at 4.2 ounces, has been up for public auction in more than two centuries.

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(Venduehuis)

The gem, which was was recently bought at auction, was likely found in China in the 1700s and was once owned by Russia’s Catherine the Great.

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The world’s largest known freshwater pearl, the Sleeping Lion, was sold in the first auction of the pearl in 240 years on May 31, 2018 for €320,000 (US$374,000).

oh wow, that's impressive... does kind of resemble a sleeping lion

Mabe Blister Pearl in Shell

Australia’s South Sea Pearl Oyster produces the most valuable pearls on Earth.