Auctions

Abernethy Pearl Tops Estimates at Auction

AuctionsAug 23, 2024

Abernethy Pearl Tops Estimates at Auction

A buyer paid more than $100,000 for the gemstone known as “Little Willie,” setting a new auction record for a Scottish freshwater pearl.

Abernethy Pearl in loose form
A buyer from Scotland paid £75,000 ($98,344) plus buyer’s premiums for the Abernethy Pearl, the largest Scottish freshwater pearl discovered in recent history. (Photo credit: Alex & Turnbull/Alex Robson)
Edinburgh, Scotland—The Abernethy Pearl, a Scottish freshwater pearl fished out of a river 57 years ago, topped its highest auction estimate and set a new world auction record.

After a brief competition among in-room, telephone, and online bidders, the hammer came down at £75,000 ($98,344) for the rare gemstone at Lyon & Turnbull’s “The Cairncross Collection” sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

Its pre-sale estimate was £40,000-£60,000 (approximately $52,000-$78,000). 

Including buyer’s premium, the total sale price was £93,591 ($122,705).

It is the most ever paid for a Scottish freshwater pearl at auction.

Lyon & Turnbull did not disclose who bought the gemstone—there was speculation as to whether officials from the museum in Perth, where the gemstone lived for years, would bid on it—saying only that the buyer was Scottish and was in the room for the auction.

“We are pleased to be able to say that The Abernethy Pearl has found a good home with its new buyer and will be staying in Scotland,” Lyon & Turnbull’s Head of Jewellery Ruth Davis said.

The Abernethy Pearl was named for the late William “Bill” Abernethy, a longtime pearl fisher who died in 2021 at the age of 96.

Ruth Davis with the Abernethy Pearl
Lyon & Turnbull’s Ruth Davis poses with the Abernethy Pearl in a shell. The 10.5-10.6 mm pearl was discovered in 1967. Experts believe it had been developing in its mussel shell for more than 80 years, which means it started growing during the reign of Queen Victoria. (Photo credit: Alex & Turnbull/Stewart Attwood)


Abernethy was known as Scotland’s last pearl fisher. (Pearl fishing has been banned in Scotland since 1998 due to overfishing and pollution.)  

He found the pearl that came to bear his name in 1967, though he never disclosed the exact location of the discovery. 

Weighing 10.91 carats and measuring 10.5-10.6 mm in size, it is the largest Scottish pearl recovered in living history. It is topped in size only by the Kellie Pearl, which is set in the crown of Scotland. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

As expected, the Abernethy Pearl was the highest-grossing lot at “The Cairncross Collection,” a sale featuring pieces from Cairncross of Perth, a renowned Scottish jeweler that closed in July 2023 after 154 years in business.

All 173 lots sold, an occurrence known as a “white-glove sale” in auction parlance, totaling £242,567 ($318,103).

Other top lots included another piece featuring Scottish freshwater pearls, a single strand necklace of graduated pearls with an 18-karat gold clasp set with seed pearls and diamonds. It fetched £17,640 ($23,135).

A pair of milgrain-set diamond stud earrings from the early 20th century sold for £13,860 ($18,179). The diamonds are old European cut and weigh 2.01 and 2.06 carats. 

“Cairncross’s championing of Scottish pearls made them a world-famous destination,” Davis said. “It is wonderful that the world record price for The Abernethy Pearl, and the white-glove result for The Cairncross Collection as a whole, will cement this legacy.

“It has been a real pleasure to present this collection and see the admiration given to Cairncross from across the U.K. and beyond.”

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy