Tsinoy owns largest pearl in the world

A Chinese Filipino (Chinoy) resort owner in this island is also the owner of what will be considered as the largest pearl in the world.

In an interview Monday, Richard King, chairman of the Crown Regency Hotel, said that a group of gemologists from the Guinness Book of World Records is expected to arrive here Dec.19-20 to formally inspect the said pearl he calls as the "Pearl of the Kings."

Guinness currently recognizes the six-kilo "Pearl of Allah" now in the United States as the largest pearl in the world.

"Based on our initial measurement, the "Pearl of the Kings" weighs around nine kilos and we are confident that we could be certified by the Guinness Book of World Records," King said.

He added that he inherited the pearl from his grandfather. It reportedly came from the waters of Palawan like the "Pearl of Allah."

Reports said that the "Pearl of Allah" also known as the "Pearl of Lao Tzu" was given by a Muslim chieftain in the 70s and was found by a diver at Brookes Point, Palawan.

"We have now decided to display the "Pearl of the Kings" at the oceanarium park in the Crown Regency Hotel as one of its attractions.

"Aside from the pearl, our oceanarium also boasts of having the longest oceanarium tunnel in the Philippines, having 30 meters length," King said.

The "Pearl of Kings" although big is not considered as a non-nacreous pearl having no iridiscence or sheen; thus it is not considered a gem stone.

It is said to have come from a giant clam which produces the so-called tridacna pearl.