Australian South Sea Pearls
White South Sea pearls are often regarded as the queen of gems.
South Sea pearls are cultured using Pinctada maxima oysters also known as the silver-lipped.
These oysters produce pearls from 8mm-20mm in size.
Color range includes: white and silver.
This type of oysters are mainly found in Australia, Myanmar and the Philippines.
Indonesian Golden South Sea Pearls
Golden South Sea pearls are often regarded as the rarest of them all.
Golden South Sea pearls are cultured using Pinctada maxima oysters also known as the gold-lipped oysters.
These oysters produce pearls from 8mm-14mm in size.
Color range includes: dark golden and light golden.
This type of oysters are mainly found in Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines.
Tahitian Pearls
Tahitian Black pearls are often regarded as the most exotic of them all.
Tahitian pearls are cultured from Pinctada margaritifera oysters also known as the black lip oysters, found in French Polynesian water.
These oysters produce pearls from 8mm-15mm in size.
Black cultured pearls come in the widest range of colors : metallic silver, grey, blue, eggplant , green and jet black.
The rarest and most valuable color for Tahitian pearls is peacock which as it sounds, has the overtones of the peacock. Strong blue, green or aubergine tones is a very rare find.
Tahitian pearls have been highly prized by many cultures for their exotic color and brilliant shine.
Akoya Pearls
Japanese Akoya pearls are often regarded as Perfection.
Japanese Akoya pearls are cultured using Pinctada fukata oysters.
While most Akoya pearls are cultured in Japan, some are cultured in the tropical waters off the coast of Korea and China.
These oysters produce pearls from 2mm-10mm in size.
Color range includes: white to grey, with pink, green, or silver overtones.
Japanese Akoya pearls are best known for their extremely high shine luster and rich color. Japanese Akoyas are often worn by brides on their wedding days.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls are cultured in sweet waters such as rivers and lakes.
As opposed to saltwater pearls, these mussels can produce dozens of pearls each harvest.
Their natural color range includes: White, lavender, pink, and every shade in between.
These oysters produce pearls from 1mm-15mm and larger in size.
These pearls have substantially lower production costs due to more forgiving climate, their geography as well as the number of pearls per harvest.