The South Seas are between the southern coast of Southeast Asia and the northern coast of Australia and are home to one of the largest oysters used for pearl culturing: the Pinctada maxima.

The Pinctada maxima can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) in diameter compared to an Akoya oyster whose average size is 8cm to 13cm. Because the size of the oyster is so large, South Sea oysters can produce pearls of around 9 to 20mm.

There are two varieties of the Pinctada maxima: the silver-lipped oyster and the golden-lipped oyster. The silver-lipped variety produces predominantly white to silver pearls with rosé, blue or green overtones. The golden-lipped variety produces pearls that range from yellow to yellowish orange or golden. These silver and golden pearls can be distinguished from Akoya or freshwater pearls not only by their large size, but by their thick nacre, satiny luster, and subtle array of warm colors.

The growth period for most South Sea cultured pearls is around two years, compared to as little as eight months for Japanese Akoya pearls. South Sea pearls are cultured in a warm water environment so the oysters deposit thick nacre more quickly.

All of our South Sea pearls are of exceptional quality with good nacre, high luster and a beautiful range of colors. Our South Sea pearls are rated as clean which means they have excellent surface quality.

To learn more on pearl quality factors, visit our Pearl Guide.