World's Largest Freshwater Pearl, "The Sleeping Lion", Up For auction in the Netherlands

The world's largest freshwater pearl will go under the hammer on Thursday. Called "The Sleeping Lion" because of its shape it is believed it could fetch anywhere between 340,000 and 540,000 euros ($632,000).

The pearl weighs almost 120 grams (4 ounces) and is over 2.7 inches long. This will be the first time in over 240 years that the pearl will be sold, it is believed to have been once owned by Catherine the Great of Russia.

Of Chinese origin, assumed to have been formed during the Qianglong Emperor's reign, between 1700 and 1760.

The auction will take place in the Netherlands, at the Venduehuis auction house in The Hague on May 31.

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