South Sea Pearl Basics

South Sea pearls are some of the rarest and most valued pearls in the world. They are distinguished predominantly by their large size and are generally the largest cultured pearls on the market. The majority of South Sea cultured pearls are about 13.0 mm in diameter, whereas most Akoya cultured pearls are 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.

South Sea pearls are cultured in the warm South Sea waters of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar (formerly Burma), and Thailand, with sixty percent of South Sea pearls coming from Australia.

South Sea pearls come from Pinctada Maxima oysters of either the gold-lipped or silver-lipped variety. The gold-lipped variety produces corresponding pearls of "golden" body color (yellow to yellowish orange); the silver-lipped variety produces pearls with white or cream body color.

Due to the warm climate and longer harvest time, South Sea pearls have exceptionally thick nacre ranging from 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm. The thicker layers of nacre in South Sea pearls create more of a satiny luster than the mirror-like sharpness of an Akoya pearl. They tend to glow from within rather than reflect.

South Sea pearls are not treated or bleached in any way post harvest and are prized for their unusual natural body color

More South Sea Pearl Information:

South Sea Pearl Basics
South Sea Pearl Sizes
South Sea Pearl Colors
South Sea Pearl Grading