Monili Collection Cattleya Orchid Clasp with Natural Conch Pearl on Akoya Pearl Necklace

This necklace combines the most rare akoya and conch pearls!

A beautiful, classic, stunning strand of large, 9.0-9.5 mm fine Akoya pearls adorned with something special - instead of a traditional clasp, we've paired this strand with an 18K Yellow Gold, 15.7-gram clasp in the shape of a Cattleya Orchid by designer Monili. As if that wasn't enough, a single pink conch pearl sits in the blossom. The magnificent clasp can be worn in the back or the front of the 18-inch necklace.

Conch Pearls Are A Very Rare Occurrence
No one has yet devised a method for culturing conch pearls, so every one you see will be a natural pearl. Therefore, they are extremely rare and valuable. It is estimated that only one in 10,000 conchs produces a pearl, and that less than 10 percent of those are of gem quality.

Conch Pearls Are Nature's Surprise
Since the meat of the Queen conch is prized as food, it is generally harvested by fishermen, rather than being sought for its pearls. The pearls tend to be "by-products" of the harvest, discovered by the fishermen as they clean their catch.