The “rarest pearl in the world,” the Pearl of Nuntius, is on its way to Qatar to be displayed for exhibitors and visitors to Index Qatar 2019, the third edition of the Interiors and fit-out event, slated from October 22 to 24 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).
According to Volker Bassen, the conservationist and philanthropist who owns the pearl, it is the third largest in the world and the best quality pearl of its kind. The Pearl of Nuntius is defined as a baroque blister pearl by Gem-A (Gemmological Institute of Great Britain) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America), a pearl that grows from a giant clamshell and resembles porcelain.
There are only six pearls in existence from the now-extinct giant clamshell species, Tridacna Gigantea, which is what makes the Pearl of Nuntius so exceptionally rare.
Both the pearl and its 320kg clamshell will be showcased at Index Qatar 2019. Bassen said: “Nobody should miss the experience of appreciating this rare ancient relic. It is so remarkable that it simply must be seen with one’s own eyes.
“And for those curious why I’ve chosen to bring such a spectacular find to Qatar’s interior and fit-out show, I invite them to come along and see how Mother Nature merges with interior design.”
Bassen is the CEO of Seaquarium, specialists in interior design whose handiwork includes unique luxury items crafted from ancient relics found in nature. Seaquarium is among this year’s many top exhibitors at Index Qatar, where Bassen will also be displaying several of the one-of-a kind fossils he turns into stunning, timeless furnishings as part of his highly sought-after Venus Collection.
After careful restoration, which can often take several months, skilled craftsmen painstakingly transform the fossils, through a process of grinding and polishing, into luxury décor items, such as washbasins and fossilised tables.
Seaquarium will also exhibit The Granada Collection, bridging the gap between geology and contemporary design with a careful selection of the most valuable natural treasures, remarkable pieces created from rare gemstones and ancient fossils.
One of the most unique fossils in the collection is the only complete skull in existence of a Paleorhinus, an ancient crocodile-like creature that could be found in what is now Morocco over 237mn years ago, a true rarity.
Qatar has a long history when it comes to pearls, and evidence shows that the ?rst pearl-diving settlement dates back 7,000 years. This is sure to make the Pearl of Nuntius one of the prized attractions for the more than 14,000 visitors expected at INDEX Qatar 2019.
Bassen said: “Index Qatar is a must-attend event on Seaquarium’s business calendar. It’s a highly anticipated chance to show off our spectacular product portfolio to the market and establish new contacts in the interiors industry.
“We pride ourselves on our meticulous craft and we take exceptional care to match our clients’ discerning tastes and requirements. So, we are very glad of having such an exceptional platform such as Index Qatar to position ourselves in Qatar’s highly-attractive interiors market, and we hope to connect with buyers for some of our exceptional pieces.”
There are only six pearls in existence from the now-extinct giant clamshell species, Tridacna Gigantea, which is what makes the Pearl of Nuntius so exceptionally rare.
Both the pearl and its 320kg clamshell will be showcased at Index Qatar 2019. Bassen said: “Nobody should miss the experience of appreciating this rare ancient relic. It is so remarkable that it simply must be seen with one’s own eyes.
“And for those curious why I’ve chosen to bring such a spectacular find to Qatar’s interior and fit-out show, I invite them to come along and see how Mother Nature merges with interior design.”
Bassen is the CEO of Seaquarium, specialists in interior design whose handiwork includes unique luxury items crafted from ancient relics found in nature. Seaquarium is among this year’s many top exhibitors at Index Qatar, where Bassen will also be displaying several of the one-of-a kind fossils he turns into stunning, timeless furnishings as part of his highly sought-after Venus Collection.
After careful restoration, which can often take several months, skilled craftsmen painstakingly transform the fossils, through a process of grinding and polishing, into luxury décor items, such as washbasins and fossilised tables.
Seaquarium will also exhibit The Granada Collection, bridging the gap between geology and contemporary design with a careful selection of the most valuable natural treasures, remarkable pieces created from rare gemstones and ancient fossils.
One of the most unique fossils in the collection is the only complete skull in existence of a Paleorhinus, an ancient crocodile-like creature that could be found in what is now Morocco over 237mn years ago, a true rarity.
Qatar has a long history when it comes to pearls, and evidence shows that the ?rst pearl-diving settlement dates back 7,000 years. This is sure to make the Pearl of Nuntius one of the prized attractions for the more than 14,000 visitors expected at INDEX Qatar 2019.
Bassen said: “Index Qatar is a must-attend event on Seaquarium’s business calendar. It’s a highly anticipated chance to show off our spectacular product portfolio to the market and establish new contacts in the interiors industry.
“We pride ourselves on our meticulous craft and we take exceptional care to match our clients’ discerning tastes and requirements. So, we are very glad of having such an exceptional platform such as Index Qatar to position ourselves in Qatar’s highly-attractive interiors market, and we hope to connect with buyers for some of our exceptional pieces.”
