South Sea Cultured Pearls

South Sea cultured pearls are exceptional quality pearls with a whitish, almost silver color. Much larger than the average pearl, South Sea cultured pearls are exceptionally smooth and round. These are the most rare and extraordinary pearls you'll find in jewelry. 

South Sea pearls come from the white-lipped variety of the pinctada maxima oyster. This oyster is much larger than the oysters that produce Akoya and freshwater pearls, so the pearl that it produces is much larger as well. Because of the rarity and sensitivity of this type of oyster, cultivation of these pearls is much more difficult, making them more expensive.    

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Care
When cared for properly, pearls can last a lifetime. The best way to care for pearls is to wear them often as the body's natural oils keep pearls lustrous. However, it's important to keep them away from household chemicals including perfume, makeup and hairspray. Chemicals found in these common products can dull the luster of your pearls. It is recommended that you put your pearls on last when getting ready and make them the first thing you take off when you come home. Before putting your pearls away, wipe them with a soft cloth and store them separate from other jewelry to avoid scratching their tender surfaces.

Shape
We offer the highest-quality, rarest pearl shape–round. Shapes that are not spherical or even symmetrical are considered lower-quality. Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls found in jewelry have a tendency to be the roundest, while Freshwater pearls can be oval or slightly off-round.

Size
The size of the pearl greatly depends on the type of pearl. Freshwater pearls range in size from about 3.0-7.0mm, Akoya pearls range from about 6.0-8.5mm, and South Sea and Tahitian pearls can reach sizes as large as 13mm.

Quality
While there is no standardized grading for pearls, we ensure that each pearl meets our high-quality standards. You will find education related to each pearl type we offer. We encourage you to learn more about the differing qualities in each. 

Color
The general color of a pearl is also called the body color. Typical pearl colors are white, cream, yellow, pink, silver or black. A pearl can also have a hint of secondary color, or overtone, which is seen when light reflects off the pearl surface. For example, a pearl strand may appear white, but when examined more closely, a pinkovertone may become apparent.