South Sea Pearls

In the 20th century, some pioneers adapted and developed pearl growing techniques outside of Japan, in Australia, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Indonesia and the Philippines. After an interruption during the Second World War, the South Sea pearl industry experienced significant growth in the past 30 years.

Pearl producers found in these oceans bigger pearl oysters the size of a hand and some as big as a dinner plate. These big oysters named Pinctada maxima can grow large pearls from 9 to 15 mm for the majority, while exceptional pearls can reach beyond 20 mm in diameter.

Pearls originating from these oceans are called South Sea pearls. Pearl colors depend on the oyster species and the environment they live in. The white-lipped South Sea species yields mainly white pearls with a silver, pink, blue, gray or green tint. The yellow-lipped species yields cream, yellow or golden pearls.