These rare giant pearls from waters of Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the islands of the South Pacific are exceptional in almost every way.  Their parent oyster (Pinctada Maxima) is the world's largest, sometimes over a foot in diameter. Their rarity is due to the fact that growing larger pearls requires a great deal of time, during which many things can go wrong: the oysters can die, the pearl can become misshapen, etc.  Furthermore, unlike most other pearl oysters, it lives in deep, offshore water so culturing a South  Sea pearl (also known as a Marine), requires special (and costly) methods.  Thus, South Sea pearls tend to be among the most expensive of pearls, commanding high prices for quality specimens.

The pearls produced are larger than most any others (8 to 21mm or more), with particularly thick nacre (mother-of-pearl) that gives them a unique lustrous glow. Their colors, ranging from ivory and yellow to a silver-pink, are also distinctive. Australia's silver-lipped oyster produces creamy white pearls with a silvery overtone.  The golden-lipped variety of the Philippines creates one of the rarest and most valued cultured pearls.  The Golden South Sea.

Pearl History 101

History of Pearls | A Fabulous Past in Fashion | The First Cultured Pearls | About Pearls

Cultured Pearl Types

Akoya | South Sea | Tahitian | Keshi & Mabe | Freshwater

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