Pearl Guide
White South Sea
The rarest and most valuable of all pearl types, white South Sea pearls are the largest pearl variety along with their golden counterparts, known for their unique soft luster and incredible natural coloring.
Produced By: SILVER LIPPED SOUTH SEA OYSTERS
South Sea pearls come from silver-lipped White South Sea oysters, or Pinctada Maxima, which are are only able to survive in their natural habitat off the Northwest coast of Australia. Because their culturing area is so small, White South Sea pearls are very rare and highly valuable. The oysters themselves are very large, often measuring 12 inches in diameter.
PEARL SIZE
White South Sea pearls can grow as large as 20mm. Their size is partially attributed to their extremely thick nacre, which is typically between 2 and 6mm. Comparatively, Akoya pearls have an average nacre thickness of about .5mm.
PEARL COLOR
Pearls from silver lipped South Sea oysters are often white and silver, typically with blue or aqua overtones. South Sea pearls are favored for their soft, satiny luster, created by fast nacre development in balmy South Sea waters.
PEARL OF WISDOM
Despite having been found in Australia, it was Sri Lankan divers who were most commonly found harvesting the oyster after its discovery in the 1840’s, but for its shell rather than its pearl.
