Roog, Mussels and oysters are clams, and pearls can be found in both: However, true pearls, the most desirable pearls, are all produced by two very different groups of molluscan bivalves or clams. One group lives in the sea, the pearl oysters, and the other very different group lives in freshwater, and those are the freshwater or river mussels. Saltwater pearls can grow in several species of marine pearl oysters in the family Pteriidae. Freshwater pearls grow within certain (but by no means all) species of freshwater mussels
I also thought it was awesome that the restaurant owner didn't try to claim it...Wow, I think anytime in the future that I get steamers, I'll be checking my clams!
I don't see how the restaurant owner could substantiate any claim on the pearl unless he had a policy in effect prior to this that clearly stated that the restaurant was not giving up its rights as owner of any pearls found. Remember, he had already sold the clam, and presumably, its contents. The fact that the bill had not been paid wouldn't hold water, in my opinion, since that is the standard practice in full service restaurants.
Frankly, the finding of the pearl is worth more as a publicity-gathering event than the pearl is worth, in my opinion.
Posts: 16563 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
