BIRTH OF A PEARL

Creating pearls is a fascinating process that requires much time and dedication. The oyster bed is a natural habitat that must be painstakingly nurtured before a pearl can even be conceived. The cultivation process begins with a core. In natural pearls, this is simply a fragment of shell, fishbone or sand that floats into the shell of pearl oyster. To protect itself from this irritant, the oyster secretes thousands of layers of nacre, forming a pearl.

Types of Pearls

Akoya Cultured Pearls

Prized for their brilliant luster and rich color, Akoya Cultured Pearls are a traditional symbol of elegance and beauty. Produced by Japan’s Akoya oysters. they are the most popular of all pearls. Depending on the size of the mother oyster, they grow from 3-10mm. Colors range from white, cream and pink to light green, blue and silver.

Black South Sea Cultured Pearls

The breathtaking color of these naturally black pearls is produced by black-lipped oysters in the waters off Tahiti and Okinawa. Sizes begin at 8mm, in round, oval, teardrop or unique baroque shapers. While characterised as black, the rich, dark colors actually range from slate grey, silver and pistachio to peacock green and midnight black with overtones of green, rose or blue.

Golden South Sea Cultured Pearls

These opulent pearls are produced by the golden-lipped oysters. Their warm, natural golden color is said to be rare than gold itself. The color palette ranges from light champagne to a very rare, deep gold. This oyster species can also produce richly luminescent white pearls, the deeper golden colors are the most coveted of all pearls. Harvested in sizes of 9mm and upwards, in round, oval, teardrop or beautiful baroque shapes.

White South Sea Cultured Pearls

The magnificent, sanity luster of these fantastic white pearls is produced by the silver-lipped South Sea oysters. Their subdued opalescent appearance subtly changes under different light conditions, making them a constant marvel to behold. Harvested in sizes 9mm upwards, their shapes ranges from round, oval or teardrop to free-form baroque.

Conch Pearls

These natural pearls are harvested from the Queen conch, a large marine snail with a heavy, lustrous shell which lives in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. The highest quality examples of Conch pearls are characterized by a distinctive “flame structure” that gives the appearance of a fire burning on the surface.