The Southern Cross

This pearl cluster was found in the late 19^th century in the South Sea in Western Australia. It is in the shape of a Latin cross and was found in the oyster species, Pinctada maxima. This cluster is believed to have formed naturally inside the oyster, however there are skeptics.

This “cross” consists of 9 pearls, seven pearls long, 1.5 inches and two pearls that cross at the top. The top pearl is almost the same diameter as the bottom. Because of the barrel shape of the pearls, the Southern Cross Pearl is classified as Baroque.

Southern Cross

Although many contradictions about who discovered this pearl cluster and when, it is said to have been founded by a man named Clark in either 1874 or 1883. Some people believe it to have been found in three different pieces, where others seem to think it was naturally formed as a cross.

The Southern Cross Pearl has been in a few different places since 1886, but it is last known to be in London, under the ownership of a London Merchant.

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