The facts
What conch Pearl actually is
Mineralogically, conch Pearl is non-nacreous calcareous concretion from the queen conch Aliger gigas (formerly Strombus gigas) — Fibrous aragonite CaCO3 with conchiolin, crystallising in the aggregate (crossed-lamellar fibrous aragonite) system.
The colour is caused by carotenoid-type pigment; the prized 'flame structure' is an optical effect of the fibrous microstructure, not a colour. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.50-1.68, and the specific gravity sits near 2.78-2.90; cleavage is none.
Where conch Pearl comes from
The recognised sources are Bahamas banks, Turks and Caicos Islands, Belize and the Honduran Bay Islands and Florida Keys, USA (harvest of queen conch is prohibited in Florida).
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How conch Pearl is treated
CITES APPENDIX II - Aliger gigas is listed, so conch pearls and conch shell require CITES export/import paperwork, and Florida prohibits harvest entirely. The species was assessed as threatened and CoP20 (2025) revisited queen conch management. Cannot be cultured commercially at scale despite research successes. Colour fades with prolonged UV exposure. No effective treatment exists, so treated conch pearls are rare; imitations are not.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What conch Pearl is confused with
The usual confusions are Pink coral, Dyed shell beads, Glass and plastic imitations and Melo pearl (orange, different species).
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.50-1.68 and specific gravity 2.78-2.90 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What conch Pearl is used for
Conch Pearl is bought by jewellery and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Conch Pearl is 4-5 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What conch Pearl costs
Indicative pricing for conch Pearl is $300-5,000 per carat; fine large flame-structured pinks $10,000-25,000 per carat.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is conch Pearl treated, and how?
CITES APPENDIX II - Aliger gigas is listed, so conch pearls and conch shell require CITES export/import paperwork, and Florida prohibits harvest entirely. The species was assessed as threatened and CoP20 (2025) revisited queen conch management. Cannot be cultured commercially at scale despite research successes. Colour fades with prolonged UV exposure. No effective treatment exists, so treated conch pearls are rare; imitations are not.
Where does conch Pearl come from?
Bahamas banks, Turks and Caicos Islands, Belize and the Honduran Bay Islands and Florida Keys, USA (harvest of queen conch is prohibited in Florida). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is conch Pearl hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 4-5 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does conch Pearl cost?
Indicatively $300-5,000 per carat; fine large flame-structured pinks $10,000-25,000 per carat. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is conch Pearl confused with?
Most often Pink coral, Dyed shell beads, Glass and plastic imitations and Melo pearl (orange, different species). A refractive index of 1.50-1.68 and a specific gravity near 2.78-2.90 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for conch pearl?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about conch pearl