An esteemed pearl has been acquired by a buyer in Scotland, fetching nearly £94,000 at an auction and setting a new global record.
This exceptional pearl, known as the Abernethy Pearl, is the largest freshwater pearl discovered in Scotland in recent memory. It was unearthed in 1967 and named after its discoverer, William Abernethy, who was recognized as the country’s final pearl hunter.
During the auction at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the pearl was purchased by a buyer from Scotland for £93,951, marking a new world record for this category of pearl.
This spectacle marked the highlight of The Cairncross Collection auction, where each item was sold, achieving a “white glove sale” industry term.
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Ruth Davis, the head of jewellery at Lyon & Turnbull, expressed, “We are delighted to announce that The Abernethy Pearl has found a new home with its purchaser, remaining within Scotland.
“It has been a pleasure showcasing this collection and witnessing the admiration it has received from individuals across the UK and beyond.”
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The auction featured pieces from the illustrious Scottish jewelers, Cairncross of Perth, which was established in 1869 by siblings Alexander and George Cairncross and ceased operations 154 years later in 2023.
It is speculated that the Abernethy Pearl might have been quietly forming within its mussel for over 80 years before Mr. Abernethy stumbled upon it, indicating its origin during Queen Victoria’s reign.
Mr. Abernethy, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 96, never revealed the location of his discovery.
Pearl hunting in Scotland was completely prohibited in 1998.
Statistics suggest that in Scottish rivers, only one out of every 5,000 mussels contains a pearl, typically smaller in size compared to those found in seawater.
