The melo pearl is produced by the mollusc Melo amphora, a close relative of the conch, but living in the waters of the South China Sea rather than the Caribbean. These "pearls", like those of the conch, are created by calcareous concretion, resulting in similarly beautiful flame-link structures. The major difference lies in their colour, which ranges from pale yellow to orange, compared with the peach to pink tones of the conch. This lot is a fine example of a melo, with its even display of flame structure, pleasing orange tone and spherical shaped and size.