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South Sea Cultured Pearls
South Sea pearls are the giants of the pearl world, ranging from 8 mm to 22 mm, with most of the production in the range of 10 - 14 mm. South Sea pearls range from silver to white, cream, and golden colors.
South Sea pearls are grown in the jumbo Pictada Maxima oyster in the warm waters of Australia, the Philippines, Burma, Indonesia, and other areas of Southeast Asia.
The luster of a South Sea pearl is generally softer and more satiny, not as reflective as the luster of an Akoya pearl.
Because they are considered a premium pearl, South Sea pearls are not bleached to even out their color, as Akoya pearls are. But being natural has its price. A fine strand of South Sea cultured pearls can easily be the tens of thousands of dollars.
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