{"id":148044,"date":"2021-10-11T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-11T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icrowdnewswire.com\/?p=2926316"},"modified":"2021-10-11T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-10-11T16:00:00","slug":"the-columbus-pearls-achieves-the-world-record-for-the-largest-collection-of-pearls-discovered-ahead-of-columbus-days-529th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipsnews.net\/business\/2021\/10\/11\/the-columbus-pearls-achieves-the-world-record-for-the-largest-collection-of-pearls-discovered-ahead-of-columbus-days-529th-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"The Columbus Pearls achieves the world record for the \u201cLargest Collection of Pearls Discovered\u201d\u00a0Ahead of\u00a0Columbus Day\u2019s\u00a0529th\u00a0Anniversary\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"allpearls<\/p>\n

The Columbus Pearls have been conclusively linked to the third voyage of Christopher Columbus, establishing them as a rare<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>historical<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>treasure.<\/em><\/p>\n

11<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>October 2021 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>New York, NY \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS<\/a>®,\u00a0known for its annual\u00a0reference book listing world records and the extremes of the natural world,\u00a0certified and recorded the largest collection of pearls\u00a0ever\u00a0discovered\u00a0during a 45-minute\u00a0live-streamed\u00a0event\u00a0on\u00a0June 14,\u00a02021,\u00a0in New York City.\u00a0The counting was performed and witnessed by gemologists and appraisers\u00a0Barry S. Block<\/a> and Antoinette L. Matlins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"PictureCROPPED<\/p>\n

A rare collection,\u00a0The Columbus Pearls®\u00a0<\/a>are the\u00a0world\u2019s oldest and largest natural saltwater pearl treasure\u00a0ever\u00a0discovered. Their impact is incalculable \u2013 these are the \u201criches\u201d that captured the attention of England\u2019s Queen Elizabeth I<\/a> and Spain\u2019s Queen Isabela I of Castile<\/a>, leading to the development of the New World!<\/p>\n

Estimated to be\u00a0approximately 500 to 550 years old,\u00a0the 2,392 pearls in the collection have a\u00a0geographical\u00a0connection\u00a0to the Caribbean\u00a0that ties\u00a0them directly to Christopher Columbus<\/a> and his arrival on the American continent.\u00a0Carbon dating\u00a0testing\u00a0has conclusively established that\u00a0the\u00a0pearls originated\u00a0from\u00a0the time of\u00a0Columbus\u00a0and\u00a0are\u00a0of the\u00a0same type\u00a0and variety\u00a0as those from Caribbean\u00a0mollusks\u00a0that\u00a0were\u00a0unique to the Caribbean\u00a0and from within an\u00a0area\u00a0near the\u00a0coasts\u00a0of Guyana\u00a0and\u00a0Panama\u00a0that\u00a0Columbus\u00a0frequented.<\/p>\n

\"20210614Guinness2<\/p>\n

Gemologists Barry Block and Antoinette Matlins NYC 06\/14\/2021<\/p>\n

\u201cNo transformation to calcite was observed externally,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>remarked<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Dr. Kenneth Scarratt<\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a notable British gemologist, pearl expert,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and authority on the British crown jewels. <\/span>Among many published articles, he also co-authored the book: \u201cThe History of the Coronation Regalia in the Jewel House of the Tower of London\u201d:<\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cMany larger, and some smaller, pearls revealed multiple growth structures. Chemical analysis of the samples confirmed their saltwater origins, and macroscopic, spectroscopic,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and luminescence data suggest that most of the pearls are likely from the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>same Caribbean<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>mollusks,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"AntoinetteBarry1\"<\/p>\n

Gemologists Barry Block and Antoinette Matlins NYC 06\/14\/2021<\/p>\n

Gary L. Smith<\/a>, Forensic Gemologist® \/ Forensic Jeweler, Master Gemologist Appraiser®, who not only examined and tested several of the The Columbus Pearls®, but after doing so, expressed the following: \u201dIn my experience dealing with ancient artifacts and jewelry for over half a century as a forensic expert, gemologist and appraiser, I have had opportunity to examine numerous ancient pearl items from various excavations and collections. The Columbus Pearls® Collection is unique in several aspects as the sheer number, quality and age is beyond anything I have ever examined.<\/p>\n

The majority of other ancient pearls are highly calcified with little or no nacreous surface, whereas many of these are in incredible condition for their age\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been confirmed that\u00a0The Columbus Pearls<\/a>®\u00a0date from the time of Christopher Columbus,\u00a0and they have been identified as a type produced by a mollusk unique to the Caribbean within an area from the coast of Guyana to Panama,\u201d added Antoinette L. Matlins<\/a>, PG, FGA, who has appeared on ABC, CNN, NBC, Oprah, CNBC and other media, author of \u201cThe Pearl Book<\/em><\/a>\u201d<\/em>. \u201cPearls were regarded in Columbus\u2019 time as the rarest and most valuable of all things, the most sought-after possession by which one\u2019s wealth and power would be recognized on the world stage\u201d. Matlins thinks the discovery of pearls in the New World was the primary motivation for Elizabeth and Isabela\u2014it offered a chance to fulfil the dream of\u00a0 conquering and ruling a land of such riches that their name and power would be remembered for eternity!\u201d And history seems to bear witness to that reality! The Columbus Pearls<\/a>® are a beautiful reminder of this exciting chapter in world history!<\/p>\n

Pearls of the same type and variety were discovered by Columbus during his\u00a0third voyage to\u00a0the\u00a0Americas.\u00a0They created instant wealth for the settlers and the rich oyster beds discovered improved Europe\u2019s economy during the fifteenth and sixteenth century. Over\u00a011 tons\u00a0(fifty-four\u00a0million carats)\u00a0were exported\u00a0to Europe between\u00a01499 and 1540,\u00a0reshaping the European economy and generating vast wealth for the Spanish Crown.\u00a0During this time,\u00a0the pearls\u00a0were used as a commodity and for religious and\u00a0gemological purposes,\u00a0such as in\u00a0stunning necklaces and\u00a0other\u00a0jewelry\u00a0items.\u00a0Pearls were also the first commodity used in the America\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\"20210614Guinness1<\/p>\n

Gemologists Barry Block and Antoinette Matlins NYC 06\/14\/2021<\/p>\n

The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS<\/a>® certification\u00a0of\u00a0the world\u2019s \u201cLargest Collection of Pearls Discovered\u201d\u00a0comes just ahead of\u00a0Columbus Day, which on October 12, 2021, marks the\u00a0529-year\u00a0anniversary\u00a0of\u00a0Columbus\u2019\u00a0discovery\u00a0of the Americas.\u00a0The Columbus Pearls\u00a0<\/a>®\u00a0are\u00a0allowing a new, modern generation to share\u00a0in the\u00a0fascinating journey\u00a0of these pearls that\u00a0changed the course of history\u00a0and\u00a0global economics.\u00a0The 2,392-pearl\u00a0collection\u00a0is in\u00a0extraordinarily\u00a0good condition despite\u00a0its\u00a0age, and scientists\u00a0have\u00a0confirmed\u00a0its\u00a0exceptional condition\u00a0and remarked that many\u00a0of the\u00a0pearls\u00a0show\u00a0luster and orient of gemological quality.<\/p>\n

\"AntoinetteBarry2\"<\/p>\n

\u201cInspecting and counting\u00a0The Columbus Pearls\u00a0<\/a>®\u00a0was a rare opportunity,\u201d remarked Barry S. Block<\/a>,\u00a0a\u00a0Master Gemologist Appraiser\u00a0present at the live event on\u00a0June 14,\u00a02021,\u00a0in New York City. \u201cBeing able to attest, view, and count this collection at the event is something I will forever treasure. It is amazing\u00a0that it\u00a0exists in such pristine condition,\u201d he added<\/p>\n

\"GuinnessPearlsCloseUp<\/p>\n

An exclusive tell-all book about their discovery and history is forthcoming. The book, \u201cSecrets of the World\u2019s Oldest Pearl Treasure \u2013 The Columbus Pearls,\u201d will be published soon<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>with free copies given to the first 50 people who<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pre-register<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>online. The captivating story will offer<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>readers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a firsthand look at the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pearls<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and their<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>history, including the infamous<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>direct connection<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Columbus, his<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>third voyage, and his<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>arrival on the American continent.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n