However, in 2005, it was reported that miners in Madagascar dug up a gem weighing 1,182 pounds which has also been feted as the world's largest emerald. Of less contention is the largest known pearl which was found by a Filipino diver off the island of Palawan in 1934.
USDA Beef Grades. Beef is graded for quality by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) graders according to standards established by the USDA. Grades are based on the amount of marbling (flecks in fat within the lean) and the age of the animal.
The purpose of quality grades is to segregate beef carcasses into palatability groups based on the expected eating quality. Quality grades are based on degree of marbling and carcass maturity. Carcass maturity groups range from A to E and are an estimate of the animalâs age from which the carcass was derived.