AuctionsAug 14, 2024
Sotheby’s Revving Up to Sell Watch Steve McQueen Wore in ‘Le Mans’AuctionsAug 19, 2024
Scotland’s Famed Abernethy Pearl Is Up for Sale
Known as “Little Willie,” it’s the largest freshwater pearl found in recent history in Scotland and is notable for its shape and color.
PHOTO Ruth Davis, FGA DGA, the head of jewelry at Scottish auction house Lyon & Turnbull, poses with the Abernethy Pearl in a shell. The pearl is expected to be the highlight of Lyon & Turnbull’s “The Cairncross Collection” jewelry auction, scheduled to take place this Wednesday, Aug. 21. (Photo credit: Lyon & Turnbull/Stewart Attwood)
PHOTO The Abernethy Pearl in loose form. William Abernethy found the pearl that bears his name in 1967. It could have been growing in its mussel shell for more than 80 years prior to its discovery, meaning it began forming sometime during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). (Photo credit: Lyon & Turnbull/Alex Robson)
Edinburgh, Scotland—A large pearl fished out of a river in Scotland 57 years ago and nicknamed “Little Willie” is going up for auction this week.
On Wednesday, Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull will offer the Abernethy Pearl, a Scottish freshwater pearl named after the man who discovered it, the late William (Bill) Abernethy.
Trained as a pearl fisherman by his father and known as a master of the craft, Abernethy found the gemstone that bears his name in a mussel shell in 1967, though he never publicly disclosed where in Scotland he found it.
He took it to renowned family jeweler Cairncross of Perth, where it has remained ever since.
The natural freshwater pearl weighs 10.91 carats and is 10.5-10.6 mm in size, according to its report from The Gem & Pearl Laboratory in London.
It is the largest Scottish pearl recovered in recent history, though it is not the largest of all time, the auction house noted. That honor belongs to the Kellie Pearl set in the Crown of Scotland, which dates to the 1540s and is one of the oldest surviving crowns in Europe.
In a video made for the Lyon & Turnbull YouTube channel, Head of Jewellery Ruth Davis explains why the Abernethy Pearl was such a rare find.
“Scottish pearls are often very varied in color and shape. They display a cream to brownish, sometimes more whiteish colors, and the shape itself is often very misshapen—sometimes ovoid, sometimes round, sometimes completely baroque,” she said.
“To have a large example of perfect spherical form with a fantastic luster and beautiful color is very unusual.”
Watch: Ruth Davis Praises the Abernethy Pearl
On Wednesday, Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull will offer the Abernethy Pearl, a Scottish freshwater pearl named after the man who discovered it, the late William (Bill) Abernethy.
Trained as a pearl fisherman by his father and known as a master of the craft, Abernethy found the gemstone that bears his name in a mussel shell in 1967, though he never publicly disclosed where in Scotland he found it.
He took it to renowned family jeweler Cairncross of Perth, where it has remained ever since.
The natural freshwater pearl weighs 10.91 carats and is 10.5-10.6 mm in size, according to its report from The Gem & Pearl Laboratory in London.
It is the largest Scottish pearl recovered in recent history, though it is not the largest of all time, the auction house noted. That honor belongs to the Kellie Pearl set in the Crown of Scotland, which dates to the 1540s and is one of the oldest surviving crowns in Europe.
In a video made for the Lyon & Turnbull YouTube channel, Head of Jewellery Ruth Davis explains why the Abernethy Pearl was such a rare find.
“Scottish pearls are often very varied in color and shape. They display a cream to brownish, sometimes more whiteish colors, and the shape itself is often very misshapen—sometimes ovoid, sometimes round, sometimes completely baroque,” she said.
“To have a large example of perfect spherical form with a fantastic luster and beautiful color is very unusual.”
Watch: Ruth Davis Praises the Abernethy Pearl
Adding to the pearl’s rarity is the fact that pearl fishing has been banned in the country since 1998.
The ban was put in place because mussels were in danger of becoming extinct from Scotland’s rivers, partly due to over-fishing and partly due to higher rates of pollution, Davis said to National Jeweler via email.
“Traditional and highly experienced fishers were careful and trained to take only mussels that were likely to contain pearls; many could partially open the mussel and replace if it was empty, protecting the stock and therefore their livelihood,” she explained.
“However, there was an influx in less scrupulous [and/or] inexperienced fishers who took the mussels indiscriminately, and so stock became dangerously low.”
Through conservation work, Scotland’s mussel population seems to be slowly recovering, Davis added.
The Abernethy Pearl is expected to sell for £40,000-£60,000 (approximately $52,000-$78,000), plus fees.
It is the highlight of Lyon & Turnbull’s upcoming “The Cairncross Collection” auction featuring pieces from the renowned Scottish jewelers.
Opened in 1869 by brothers Alexander and George Cairncross, Cairncross of Perth was a family-owned jewelry store on St. John Street known for its strands of Scottish pearls and floral brooches.
The retailer championed Scottish pearls as a scarce natural resource and became the leader in the market, so much so that, according to Lyon & Turnbull, local pearl fishers, like Abernethy, brought their finds to Cairncross of Perth first.
Alistair Cairncross and his brother, Jimmy Cairncross, were the last member of the Cairncross family to own the store.
Scottish businesswoman Flora Rennie took over the shop in the late 1980s, and it stayed in business until July 2023. Its closure after 154 years marked the “end of an era,” the auction house said.
“The Cairncross Collection offers a final opportunity to obtain a piece of Perthshire history,” Davis said.
“As well as antique jewelry, including a beautiful pair of diamond stud earrings, weighing over 4 carats, the collection also includes more contemporary pieces, from high-end designers such as Picchiotti and enameled jewels by Victor Mayer, as well as a selection of Scottish river pearls.
“The Abernethy Pearl is, of course, the star of the sale and we’re excited to see the interest the auction will undoubtedly generate.”
The auction of the Cairncross Collection is scheduled to take place Wednesday at 2 p.m. BST/9 a.m. EDT live in Edinburgh and online.
Read more about the auction, browse the lots, and bid on the Lyon & Turnbull website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsSep 18, 2024
When Selling Jewelry, Don’t Forget the Joy Consumers today are looking for a little escape, and jewelry is the perfect avenue to provide it, presenters at the Vicenzaoro show said.
CollectionsSep 18, 2024
Cece Jewellery Celebrates Love in New CollectionThe “Extraordinary Lovers” collection features engagement rings with enamel scenes inspired by art and mythology.
Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
Couture DAC Opens Applications for Next Class of MenteesBIPOC designers can apply for a spot in the mentorship program’s third cohort until Oct. 8.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
MajorsSep 18, 2024
Richemont Shuffles Leadership at VhernierThe luxury giant recently completed its acquisition of the Italian jewelry brand.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
JA Announces Three Bench Scholarship WinnersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship provides tuition help to aspiring bench jewelers.
EditorsSep 17, 2024
8 Award-Winning Looks from the EmmysAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the best jewelry looks from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
GradingSep 17, 2024
GIA To Include Traceability Info on Some Cultured Pearl ReportsThe lab will include reference numbers on reports for cultured pearls that contain bead nuclei embedded with an RFID tag.
ColumnistsSep 17, 2024
The PR Adviser: The Case for Switching to Shopify Lilian Raji offers advice to a reader frustrated with the current state of their company’s website.
EditorsSep 17, 2024
Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With CastThe actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.
SourcingSep 16, 2024
1,094-Carat Diamond Recovered in Botswana Just Weeks After Historic Find The giant gem originated from Karowe, the same mine that yielded a 2,492-carat rough diamond in late August.
CrimeSep 16, 2024
New Jersey Jeweler Pleads Guilty To Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah admitted to dodging customs duties on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
MajorsSep 16, 2024
Boucheron Opens First US Store in New York CityThe new boutique is located on Madison Avenue.
GradingSep 16, 2024
Gübelin Opens Lab in BangkokThe company’s fourth location worldwide will focus on its AI-powered gem document, the Gem Passport.
Events & AwardsSep 16, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New YorkIts next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
EditorsSep 13, 2024
Taylor Swift Brings Diamonds, Edgy Jewels to her VMAs LooksThe artist opted for big yellow diamond earrings, a vintage chain, and white metals at the annual MTV awards show.
WatchesSep 13, 2024
Breitling Inks Licensing Deal with the NFL The Swiss watchmaker has created limited-edition timepieces for all 32 National Football League teams.
FinancialsSep 12, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q2 Sales Fall 8% The jewelry giant said it expects to see an uptick in engagements in the second half of the year.
Supplier BulletinSep 12, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
CollectionsSep 12, 2024
Mignon Faget Enters a New Era With Its ‘Legacy’ CollectionThe brand is celebrating its upcoming 55th anniversary with modern designs that pay tribute to its history.
SourcingSep 12, 2024
AGTA Elects Bruce Bridges as PresidentHe, and other newly elected board members, will begin their terms in February.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2025 Grant ApplicationsThose interested can apply online now through Nov. 15.
WatchesSep 11, 2024
These Are the Watches Women Want, Says Chrono24Its “Her-ology” report highlights trends in the women’s luxury watch market, from top brands to movement preferences.
IndependentsSep 11, 2024
Take a Sip of Marrow Fine x Adalina’s $13K MartiniThe smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini, only available at Adalina in Chicago, is served with a 9-carat diamond tennis necklace.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2024
Lab-Grown, Natural Diamonds to Be Focus of AGS Confluence Scheduled for Sept. 25, the online-only event will be open to non-AGS members this year, for a fee.
MajorsSep 11, 2024
Brilliant Earth Expands International E-CommerceCustomers in more than 150 countries can now shop at the jewelry retailer’s online store.
