ORIGIN
South Sea pearls are regarded as one of the most exceptional gemstones known to man, found only in one region extending from the Indonesian archipelago to Tahiti and down to the north western coat of Australia around Broome and Darwin. In this area the host mollusc 'Pinctada Maxima' thrives in the nutrient rich and pollution free waters due to the remoteness of the location. The only truly organic gem, South Sea pearls require no cutting to reveal their natural beauty. However, it is this inability to enhance pearls that adds to their rarity. Unlike diamonds, no two pearls are exactly the same making a pair of matched pearls a rare gift and a full strand a truly unique masterpiece of natural beauty.SIZE & LUSTER
Whilst traditional cultured pearls rarely grow larger than 10 millimeters in diameter South Sea pearls range from 10 - 20 millimeters in size due to the thick nacre or skin of the pearl allowed to form over a longer period in a mollusc measuring approximately 15 to 20 centimetres.COLOURS
There are a great variety of colours that occur naturally; the most common cause of which is the species used to cultivate the pearl. The black-lipped oyster (found predominantly around Tahiti) and silver-lipped oyster produce black and silver-white pearls respectively, however other colours such as gold and rose occur due to environmental factors during the cultivation period such as nutrient levels and water temperature.SHAPE
Most South Sea pearls are characterised by a distinctive shape adding to its individuality. Like a birthmark virtually all pearls feature a natural imperfection which sets that pearl apart from others, and given the precious nature of the pearls should be regarded as part of its character rather than a flaw. Similarly, very few pearls are perfect spheres and are more commonly off round to baroque in shape. The number of strands of perfectly round South Sea pearls produced each season could be counted on one hand and have sold at auction around the world for over one million US dollars.
