I wonder if the restaurant will try to claim it as they own it. Better yet I wonder if the customer can sue the restaurant for foreign material in his food.

I didn't read the article but if I'm not mistaken, oyster produce pearls, not clams.

Ok, did some research and found this: "Virtually all bivalved mollusks, including clams, are capable of secreting a calcareous pearl of sorts, but only those species that contain an iridescent, nacre, known as mother-of-pearl, can produce pearls that have commercial value. Clam shells do not contain nacre; hence, their pearls lack luster and are of relatively little value. Pearls resembling white or purple beads are occasion- ally found in the bay quahog, or hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), and may bring as much as $35 on the market, according to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Manne Resource Bulletin."

@bigat: They'll sue under the guise of "mis-laden" property, when we all know the person who paid for the food has a legit claim under treasure trove (common)law that some judges are refusing to submit to...

@Dibbler:

No, they meant steamed HAMS.