The world's biggest pearl, discovered in the waters around Palawan Island in the Philippines a decade ago, has been valued at around $100m.

The 34kg whopper measures 12 inches wide and 26 inches long.

The pearl was found in the waters around Palawan Island

It's over five times the size of the previous record holder, the Pearl of Allah, which weighs in at a measly 6.4kg.

The pearl was discovered in a clamshell by a local fisherman, who kept the jaw-droppingly valuable jewel under his bed.

He recently handed it into a local tourism office in the town of Puerto Princesa after his home burned down in a fire.  

A tourism officer from Puerto Princesa explained how the pearl was found: "The fisherman threw the anchor down and it got stuck on a rock during a storm.

"He noticed that it was lodged on a shell and swam down to pull up the anchor, and also brought the shell with him.

"This was a decade ago and he kept it at home. He didn't know how much it was worth and kept it tucked away at home as a simple good luck charm.

"We were amazed when he brought it to us…

"We will keep this here in the Philippines and I hope it will bring more tourists to the city."

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about watches and jewellery auctions.