Buying Guide

What Are South Sea Pearls?

South Sea pearls are one of the most luxurious types of pearls.

The South Sea pearl is cultured in a saltwater oyster named Pinctada maxima, that is native to marine waters between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.

South Sea pearls are the largest type of cultured pearls, typically with a size of between 8mm and 16mm in diameter. Each pearl is grown in the oyster for 2 to 3 years and should have a soft silky lustre. The South Sea pearl is bead-nucleated and is usually round or symmetrical in shape.

The silver-lipped oyster, grown in pristine coastal waters from Thailand to Australia, typically produces a white pearl that may have delicate overtones of silver, pink or blue.

The gold-lipped oyster, grown off the coasts of the Philippines and Indonesia, typically produces naturally golden pearls with varying light to deep hues of yellow and orange.

South Sea pearls are chosen to create the finest of jewellery.