Lesson15: South Sea Pearls
1. Introduction to South Sea Pearls
South Sea pearls are also known as “white-lipped pearls” because they come from the Pinctada maxima oyster, often referred to as the “white-lipped oyster.” The inner edge of this oyster’s shell displays either a golden lip or a silver lip. Pearls from golden-lipped oysters are typically yellow, cream, or golden hues, commonly known as South Sea Golden Pearls. Pearls from silver-lipped oysters are usually white or silvery-blue, often called South Sea White Pearls. In Australia, South Sea White Pearls are known as “Aussie White.” South Sea pearls typically exhibit distinct surface characteristics like ridges, which often appear as a single line or half-line at the top of the pearl.
2. South Sea Golden Pearls
Origin:
South Sea Golden Pearls are primarily found in the South Pacific regions, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Indonesia is the largest producer of these pearls, and Myanmar is known for producing pearls with deep golden hues.
Oyster:
The golden-lipped Pinctada maxima oyster, which is large enough to cultivate substantial pearl nuclei, resulting in larger pearls.
Characteristics:
- Color: Ranges from light champagne gold to deep golden tones. The deeper and richer the color, the higher the value. Pearls with green or orange overtones within the deep gold color are considered the finest quality.
- Size: Typically ranges from 9mm to 18mm, with some reaching 20mm or more, which is rare for pearls.
- Shape: Spherical or near-spherical.
Nacre Thickness:
The nacre thickness is typically around 0.8mm, which is the standard for South Sea pearls.
Market:
The Southeast Asian market favors golden pearls. Because of this, there is a stronger trend toward cultivating these pearls, with 70% of South Sea pearls being golden and 30% being white.
3. South Sea White Pearls
Origin:
South Sea White Pearls are primarily cultivated in Western Australia, known for the famous Paspaley pearl farms. Other significant producing regions include Indonesia and the Philippines.
Oyster:
The silver-lipped Pinctada maxima oyster.
Characteristics:
- Color: White, silvery-blue (also known as “blue-blood”), sometimes with green or pink overtones.
- Size: Ranges from 9mm to 16mm, with some pearls reaching up to 22mm.
- Shape: Near-round or spherical.
- Other Features: The lower water temperature in cultivation regions causes the nacre to form more slowly, resulting in exceptionally smooth surfaces. While not as sharp as Akoya pearls, they possess a refined, satiny luster.
Nacre Thickness:
Approximately 0.8mm, consistent with the standard for South Sea pearls.
Market:
China, Japan, and Western countries favor South Sea White Pearls.