Nodipecten subnodosusCoastal waters of Baja California Peninsula, MexicoA scallop pearl is a non-nacreous calcareous concretion produced by any member of the Pectinidae (scallop) family. Unlike other non-nacreous pearls, such as the Melo melo and Conch pearl, the scallop pearl comes from a bivalve mollusk know as the "Mano de Leon", or the "The Pacific Lion's Paw". This shellfish garners its name due to the unique shape of its shell, which resembles a lion's paw. Scallop pearls are native to the coastal waters of Central and North America and most commonly found off the coast of Baja California Peninsula. The scallop pearl is a very rare occurrence and is the bi-product of wild-harvested scallops. A typical scallop fisherman might discover a mere handful throughout his entire career. Scallop pearls have a unique shape and coloration: they generally display a rare maroon to plum coloration, and are also commonly found in deep purple, orange and pink. Like conch pearls, scallop pearls have a unique three-dimensional effect within the reflective platelets of their surface, which adds to the unique beauty of the gem, yet the appearance of this iridescence is not in a "flame pattern" but rather a unique circular pattern with intersecting lines.The present offering is a "zoomorphic" natural pearl depicting a baby bird, capable of standing on its own. The purple graduates towards the bottom to a whitish area and a patch of unusual orange to the reverse side. It has a classic pattern of platelets for which this species is known, undrilled. Weighing approximately 13.72 carats and measuring 16.50 x 17.33 x 9.57mm