Australian South Sea pearls come from the giant Pinctada maxima oyster, cultured in the pristine, nutrient-rich saltwater environments of Australia's remote northern coasts, especially around Broome and the Kimberley region in Western Australia, known for their exceptional size, luster, and thick nacre.
They come from the Pinctada maxima shell, where the name “South Sea” originates from the location of the shell, as these shells are found in the southern hemisphere – particularly around northern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma and French Polynesia.
Australian Akoya pearl shell are the smallest pearl-producing molluscs, which means the pearls themselves are generally smaller than South Sea pearls, typically measuring between 2 and 8 millimetres.
South Sea pearls are known for their size and lustre and are universally considered the most sought-after pearls. Our world class South Sea pearls each take an average of four years to grow, making them approximately 1000 times rarer than diamonds.
Autore's pearl farms are scattered across the crystal-clear waters off Australia and Indonesia, notably off the coast of Broome, WA. They are renowned from producing some of the most beautiful and lustrous South Sea pearls in the word, cultivated from the Pinctada maxima oyster.
You can identify a South Sea pearl by its:
Australia produces the largest harvests and the finest White South Sea pearls in the world.
South Sea Pearls Value
A strand of South Sea pearls can range from $1,000 to over $100,000.
Natural Black pearls (uncultivated) are extremely rare and are found in about 1 in every 10,000 oysters. In an effort to preserve the species, it is illegal to dive to find natural pearls.
Jackie Kennedy style: 3 rows of 10mm white simulated pearls with an art deco-inspired clasp. Approximately 17" in length. Barbara Bush styles: 3 rows of 12mm cultura glass pearls. Approximately 16.5" in length.
Choosing between Australian Akoya vs. South Sea pearls come down to personal preference: Akoya pearls are smaller, typically more symmetrical, and have a greater variety of colours. South Sea pearls are larger, and can make for a more statement piece when featured in unique jewellery designs.
Some pearl “farmers” will remove pearls from an oyster without killing them, keeping them alive to endure repeated insertions of foreign materials to continue making pearls. It is estimated that around a third to half of them are kept while the rest are killed.
It is advised that you avoid dipping your pearls in water or wear them whilst bathing or swimming as the water weakens the silk thread. We recommend you do not store pearls in a safe for a long period of time as the dry atmospheric conditions dry out the pearls and cause them to crack.
The Golden Pearl is the rarest and most exquisite of all the pearls from anywhere in the world. Many different countries produce white pearls, black pearls and even multi-colored / dyed various other colors, but the South Sea Golden Pearl is the most difficult to produce and is all completely natural.
The best pearls in Australia are the highly prized Australian South Sea Pearls, known for their large size, thick nacre, and magnificent luster, cultured from the rare Pinctada maxima oyster in the pristine waters of Western Australia, with top producers including brands like Kailis Jewellery, Paspaley, Pearls of Australia, and Willie Creek Pearls. These pearls are considered among the finest globally, with some farms also producing unique Akoya and Keshi pearls, offering exceptional quality and environmental benefits.
Having their protective shells pried open by humans is a presumably frightening and painful experience. While we don't yet know whether bivalves can feel pain in the same way we do, we can observe that oysters snap their shells tightly shut when they're disturbed by touch or even when they sense loud noises.
The rarest pearl colors are natural blue and golden yellow, followed by strong pink, lavender, and true deep black, primarily from specific natural conditions or rare oysters like the Queen Conch (for pink) or Tahitian black-lip oysters, making them incredibly scarce compared to common white or dyed pearls.
It was Jackie Kennedy who said 'pearls are always appropriate,' meaning that they suit all occasions and all outfits. Indeed pearls are still worn by many brides on their wedding days and feature in most jewellers' windows today.
Pearl jewellery and pearls are not traded like gold or silver. They are considered elite gemstones and do not have a high resale value, at least as of now. Used pearl jewellery, which is sold for higher prices, is usually that which has been worn by celebrities, queens or antique pieces.
Harvesting cultured pearls often kills the oyster, as many farms kill the animals after the first harvest for their meat and shell, though some try to recycle them for multiple harvests, while wild pearl harvesting kills thousands of oysters for just a few pearls. While some techniques allow oysters to survive and produce more pearls, especially with skilled intervention, the overall industry often involves stress, harm, and eventual death for most mollusks.
At Costco, we take pride in the fact that our pearl jewelry meets the industry's highest quality standards. Our process ensures our pearls have good luster, shape, color and no obvious blemishes, and that the size of the pearls match where applicable.
South Sea pearls are generally considered the most valuable pearls in the world. Their size, rarity, and long cultivation period make them pricier, especially in perfectly round shapes or natural golden tones. Tahitian pearls are also premium but slightly more accessible in comparison.