A couple were celebrating after tucking into a birthday meal and finding a rare orange Melo pearl worth more than 2,000 GBP.

Sittidhet Chaiwan, 26, bought seafood from a nearby fish market to cook as a romantic treat for his girlfriend Katib Patjira, 27, in Phayao province, northern Thailand on August 24.

After grilling the seafood, Sittidhet picked up a sea snail to eat but as he bit into its flesh, he felt like he had bitten into a rock.

Sittidet spat out the unknown object into his hand and was astonished to see that he had actually bitten into a beautiful orange-coloured stone.

Curious Sittidhet Googled to find out what that mysterious object was and realised it resembled a valubale Melo pearl - used in expensive jewellery.

Sittidhet took the gem to the Chiang Mai Testing Laboratory the next morning where staff confirmed that the object is a real Melo pearl.

The laboratory also issued a document confirming the pearl's authenticity. The Melo pearl is 2.63x2.63x2.61 mm in size and 0.151 carats.

Based on previous prices, a Melo pearl can be sold for up to 17,000 USD or a little more than 14,363 GBP per carat depending on the quality and colour. It would make the couple's pearl worth around 2,567 USD or just over 2,168 GBP.

Speaking today, August 25, delighted Sittidhet said: ‘I'd like to sell the pearl as the money will be a big help. I'm not sure who much it's worth but I'll try to get the highest price. I believe there's a big demand for Melo pearls as they are rare.'

Sittidhet said that he is keeping the pearl safe and will treat his girlfriend if he is able to cash it in.

Girlfriend Katib added: 'This is the best birthday surprise I've ever had. It's special for both of us and I think it's a sign of good luck. I hope that my boyfriend will take me on a holiday once he has sold the pearl.'


In September last year, Phenkhae Charoenthanwa, 41, was eating a seafood salad when she found a 2.9-carat Melo pearl in Krabi province, Thailand. It was later verified by the Thai Gemological Research Institute.

In February of the same year, trucker Monthian Jansuk found a similar pearl in his lunch in Chonburi province while fisherman Hatchai Niyomdecha stumbled upon the rare gem in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on January 27. Hatchai claimed she was offered up to 10 million Baht (£256k) for the 7.68-gram precious gem.

Melo pearls range from orange to tan to brown in colour – with orange being the most expensive shade. They are usually found in South China Sea and Andaman Sea off the coast of Myanmar and are produced by predatory sea snails called Volutidae.