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SOUTH SEA PEARLS
South Sea pearls are among the largest
commercially harvested cultured pearls in
the world. The sizes of a South Sea pearl
run from 9 mm. up to 40 mm.
The South Seas lie between the northern
coast of Australia and the southern coast of
China. These waters are the native habitat
of the large oyster, the Pinctada maxima.
This oyster grows up to 12 inches in
diameter, and can be nucleated with a much
larger bead than other saltwater oysters.
There are up to 3 generations of pearls that
can develop from one South Sea oyster:
The first generation pearl takes 4-6 years
to culture on average and ranges anywhere
from 9 - 14 mm in size.
The second generation pearl takes 7-10
years to harvest and is also much larger anywhere from 14-18 mm.
The third generation pearl takes 20-30 years
to culture. These pearls are the most rare
and valuable as they are the largest. They
will range anywhere from 30-40 mm. on
average.
Did you know?
The color of a South Sea pearl depends on
the type of oyster it grows in. Different types
of oysters come from different regions of the
world. These Oysters have different colors
of meat lining the inside of their shells. The
pearl develops in the color of the meat that
is lining the inside of the oyster.
~
White, Silver, gold and yellow South sea
pearls come from around Australia. These
are referred to as South Sea pearls as they
are grown in the South Seas around
Australia.
~
The rainbow of dark colors of pearls black, dark green, dark chocolate, gunmetal,
eggplant (anything dark in color) come
from the seas around Tahiti (hence they are
referred to as “Tahitian”)
~
Golden, champagne & butterscotch pearls
come from around Indonesia & Philippines.
Pearls are sturdy and beautiful gems
that withstand the test of time –
enduring in fashion and living in our
hearts as powerful keepsakes from
Mother Nature herself.
You can keep your pearls looking as
good as new by following these simple
steps:
TAHITIAN PEARLS
Tahitian pearls are produced by
the black-lipped oyster (Pinctada
margaritifera) in the islands of
French Polynesia. The oyster itself
is quite large sometimes over 12
inches across and weighing as much
as 10 pounds which often results in much
larger-than-average pearls. The pearls are
unique because of their natural dark colors.
Most “black” Tahitian pearls \