South Sea pearls

October 2018
South Sea Pearl Value

South Sea pearls are bar none the most expensive cultured pearls you can buy today … but that doesn’t mean that their beauty is out of reach! Their rarity, large sizes, natural colors and radiant luster immediately attract pearl lovers of all stripes, and it is the mission of Pearls of Joy to ensure that the beauty of South Sea pearls is available and affordable for everyone to enjoy.

Use the South Sea Pearl Value Chart to get an average of the price ranges for South Sea pearl jewelry and what you can expect to spend.

In the Philippine Islands, pearl farms are located in sheltered coves and lagoons where the oysters can be protected from the open elements of the ocean.

White South Sea pearl farms are generally located in large bays off the Australian coasts … oysters are anchored on long-lines that allow them to drift with the ocean currents.

The pearls are harvested after a period of 2-3 years and have thick, beautiful and lustrous nacre, averaging 2 – 4mm in depth around their bead nucleus.

For both Australian and Philippine farmers, p. maxima oysters are nucleated 2 or 3 times over their lifetimes, with older oysters responsible for culturing the very largest pearls. After the last pearl harvest, the best oysters are released into the wild habitats … this ensures that the oysters can live out their retirement comfortably, and reintroduce their high quality genetics back into the environment.

South Sea Pearl Shapes
Like all other pearl types, the most valued and rare pearl shape for South Sea pearls is perfect rounds.

South Sea pearls offer an astounding variety of shapes that you may not be familiar with, but are sure to please. From smooth, symmetrical drops to off-round buttons, baroques, circled pearls and more Pearls of joy the beauty and variety of South Sea pearl shapes:

Perfectly round South Sea pearls are the most rare … and the most valuable. Perfectly round pearls account for only a tiny fraction of each pearl harvest.