South Sea Pearls - pearl jewelry design

South Sea pearls are grown in the warm, pure waters off of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Thailand in the oyster species Pinctada maxima (the two varieties are known as the Silver Lipped and Gold Lipped Oysters). These pearls (and their shells) are the largest and rarest grown. It takes 20 to 24 months to grow the pearl and there are many complications that can cause them to die. South Sea pearl size ranges from 9 – 20 millimeters (average size 13mm) and their colors include silver, silver/pink, white, white/pink, white/gold and gold.

SouthSea pearls can be quickly identified because of their large size. Generally, they range from 9mm to 17mm in diameter. Only in very rare cases do they grow larger.


SouthSea pearls are generally worn in a completely natural state as they come out of the oyster; they need no artificial enhancement or coloring whatsoever. That is why they are treasured as “The Queen of Pearls and the Pearl of Queens.”


SouthSea pearls come in a very wide variety of colors. The white group from Pinctada maxima shells produces pearls from silver-white to dark gold, including pink, cream, champagne, yellow, green and blue.


SouthSea pearls command high prices throughout the world. With their relative scarcity, large sizes, extended cultivation period, thicker nacreous coating and natural colors.