South Sea Pearl Appearance
In the fine jewelry industry, South Sea pearls are sometimes lightheartedly referred to as the "Rolls Royce" of pearls—a testament to their rarity, stunning appearance and high-end aesthetic. They are most commonly produced in a brilliant white color with gold or champagne overtones. While rare colors like gold or blue South Sea pearls are found every year, they are harvested in too-small numbers to create entire bracelets or necklaces, reserving these scarce and expensive gems for pendants or necklace centerpieces—a beautiful way to highlight their unique beauty and value.
South Sea pearls are also known for being the largest variety of pearls currently cultivated. While the Akoya pearl is known for its perfectly round appearance, they are rarely larger than 7-10mm in size. South Sea pearls, on the other hand, average around 12mm and have even been reported to be as large as 20mm. For this reason, they are typically used as statement pearls, or for very extravagant strands, as opposed to freshwater pearls, which are ideal for everyday wear.
If you are looking for an ultra-elegant statement piece, South Sea pearl jewelry is a worthy investment. Their brilliant colors and impressive size will turn heads every time you wear them. Still, pearls of this size need considerable care and are more expensive than most, so it is important to be diligent in your research before purchasing your South Sea pearls.
South Sea Pearl Farming
South Sea pearls are farmed from the Pinctada maxima oyster native to Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Japan and Thailand. Because these oysters are challenging to cultivate, the production of South Sea oysters is limited to these countries. The Pinctada maxima is the largest pearl-producing oyster globally, which accounts for the exceptionally large pearl size it can produce.
Because of how sensitive and sizable these oysters are, cultivation is a lengthy process. The oysters are first "bead nucleated" with a tiny mother-of-pearl bead that’s surgically implanted to produce a round pearl. Ideally, the bead nucleus helps to create a perfectly round pearl, but environmental damage and other characteristics of the individual oyster can result in semi-round, drop or button shapes.
South Sea Pearl Jewelry
When it comes to fine jewelry, South Sea pearls are coveted for their size. Because they are so large and rare, it is common to see necklaces and bracelets where pearls vary in size, most often embracing a graduated design where the largest pearl is at the center, and the sizes taper off at each side. In addition to delivering an elegant look, this style helps maximize the small South Sea pearl harvest each year.
Finding the right South Sea pearl necklace, bracelet or set of earrings can be a challenge, but selecting a reputable jeweler will help you find the ideal size and style of South Sea jewelry that fits into your budget. Look for jewelers that offer specific details about their pearls, like size, shape and color—and utilize their customer service resources to ask any specific questions you may have.
Since South Sea pearls retain their value over time, these pearls make exceptional heirlooms and special-occasion gifts that will be passed down and treasured through the years. Add this to the list of wonderful reasons to celebrate any milestone moment with a beautiful piece of South Sea pearl jewelry.
South Sea Pearl Care and Storage
Like any pearl, South Sea pearls need special care and attention to ensure they preserve their luster over time. Be sure to carefully clean your South Sea pearls with a damp cloth using water and mild soap after exposure to oils, perfumes or other chemicals in the air. To keep the integrity of the string used on your pearl strands intact, you should never submerge your pearls directly into any liquid cleaning solution. South Sea pearls are not suitable for ultrasonic cleaners. You should also store them in a proper jewelry box to limit sun exposure that can cause brittleness over time.
