["A Large Pearl", The Kalgoorlie Western Argus (WA), Tuesday 17 December 1901, page 10]
A LARGE PEARL.
DISCOVERED AT BROOME.
Mr. J. W. Gibson, writing from Broome on November 29 says:--
There is a good deal of excitement here in consequence of the finding of a great pearl. Mr. Jas. Buddivent has been boat-building and pearling on a small scale for the past fifteen years at Thursday Island and Broome, and up to the night before last was not considered too fortunate in his undertakings. Mr. Buddivent is at present working two small luggers on the shell banks. He does not go out in the boats himself, but sends a white man with them to open the shell and secure the pearls. On Tuesday night about 12 o'clock Mr. Buddivent was laying asleep on his couch in the cool of his boatshed, when he was roughly disturbed from his peaceful slumber. On rising to his feet his shell opener put into his hand probably the most superb and wonderful pearl the world has ever seen. All the old pearlers admit that such a wondrous work of nature has never been discovered in a pearlshell. The shell in which it was found has a lovely cradle at the "heel" in which this queen of pearls was nursed and developed. Mr. Buddivent, who is comparatively a poor man, has already refused thousands of pounds for his treasure. A more perfect or beautiful lustre has seldom been seen on a pearl. The shape is most graceful, and its length is 1¼ in. In the same shell two nice small gems were found. One of our best known pearlers has offered his entire pearling plant with a year's stores for this pearl, but the offer has been wisely declined. The pearl was deposited in the bank yesterday afiternoon, and its particulars were cabled to London. It is thought that if it reaches London without delay it will take a very prominent place amongst the great jewels at the coronation of King Edward. It is variously estimated to be worth from £9,000 to £15,000. The shell in which the pearl was found goes to London also.
