North Carolina woman discovers massive pearl while eating oysters at restaurant

In North Carolina, a woman named Freda Bryant made an astonishing find while dining at a local seafood restaurant. During her meal at Full Moon Oyster Bar in Morrisville, she unexpectedly bit down on an oyster and thought she had lost a tooth. However, upon inspection, she and her companion realized that the object causing the disturbance was actually a pearl. This remarkable occurrence happened on a recent Tuesday, highlighting the rarity of such events. Bryant described the experience as akin to receiving a direct message from the universe, encouraging her to maintain a positive attitude moving forward. The pearl she found is roughly the size of a marble and is considered rare, with only about 1 in 10,000 oysters producing pearls. The staff at the restaurant were equally impressed by the find, signaling how unexpected and special such discoveries can be, especially when oysters are typically consumed without a thought of hidden treasures. Valuation experts have suggested that based on its size, shape, and luster, the pearl could be worth at least $100. Bryant noted the potential profit of her find, especially if her group had ordered multiple dozens of oysters. The excitement surrounding her discovery was palpable, with restaurant staff and patrons sharing in the joyful surprise. The incident echoes previous occurrences, such as a 66-year-old man who found a pearl while dining at a famous oyster bar in New York in 2018. Pearls are formed over several years when an irritant, such as a grain of sand, enters the shell of an oyster. The oyster responds by covering the irritant with layers of nacre, eventually forming a pearl. Only a small percentage of oysters produce pearls that meet the standards of most jewelers, making Bryant's find all the more extraordinary. The combination of chance, nature, and the dining experience has made her pearl a noteworthy event in local culinary tales.