News & Recipes

A total eclipse of the sun, a fire rainbow and the magnificent Northern Lights. These are some of our world’s natural phenomena we all hope to experience one day. The discovery of a perfect, natural pearl nestled inside an oyster is another… and we couldn’t be more excited to share with you that this rare moment of pure magic and wonder was recently experienced by one very fortunate couple visiting Kelly Oysters. 

We were very fortunate to welcome two lovely folks from Florida – Kelly and Ross Binkley – who joined one of our shoreside oyster tours. They loved hearing about our work here at Kelly’s and of course sampling our amazing oysters. But little did they know that when they plucked an oyster from the ocean and cracked it open – there would sit a stunning and exquisitely-perfect natural pearl! Yep! True story! 

The excitement and joy of that moment is hard to express as our guests realised how lucky they were! Natural pearls are extremely rare today and only a small number of oysters can produce pearls. Around 1 in every 10,000 wild oysters at a guess, which of course only adds to the splendour of these little miracles.

How Does it Happen? 

Sometimes even we forget how amazing it is that a simple oyster can hold such a precious gem. So, how is a pearl created? Well, the process begins when an oyster gets an irritant inside its shell – a grain of sand or food particle. The oyster starts protecting itself by producing calcium carbonate to cover the foreign substance. These layers form a pearl, a process which can be two years or more in the making. 

Our fortunate couple’s experience really does speak volumes about the extraordinary nature of our oysters at Kelly Oysters. It reminds us of the slow passage of time, the patience and a passion for absolute quality that makes every Kelly Oyster possible, and so exceptional. And, of course, it makes our work here so rewarding and enriching. 

This incredible discovery also showcases the unforgettable sensory experience you’re in for when you join us for a Kelly Oysters tour. You’ll love hearing our stories about three generations of oyster farming here on the Wild Atlantic Way. You’ll see our oyster beds on the rugged seashore and understand why a Kelly Oyster tastes like no other. With the dramatic beauty of the ocean as backdrop you’ll feel the anticipation, surprise and thrill that comes with the possibility of finding a pearl. We firmly believe it’s an experience that should be in everyone’s memory bank! 

The story of our Floridian guests is a testament to the magic that lies within the world of oysters, and we’re thrilled to have shared this moment with them. We look forward to welcoming many more new guests to Kelly Oysters. And if you haven’t done so already, put us on your bucket list of adventures and experience a journey of discovery for yourself. You never know, you may well be the next lucky guest to find a pearl in one of our oysters and create a memory to last a lifetime. 

Learn more about our farm tours here.