how to select your pearl
OUR SALTWATER PEARLS
SOUTH SEA PEARLS
Our Australian South Sea pearls are grown at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm just north of Broome. South Sea pearls are typically larger than other types of pearls, with an average size of 10-15mm.
- Medium - Large
- Size: 10-15mm
- Colour: White or cream
- Oyster Species: Pinctada maxima
- Origin: Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
AKOYA PEARLS
Our Akoya pearls are cultured at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm on the mouth of the Hawkesbury River and also at Brisbane Water just north of Sydney. Akoya pearls are typically smaller than other types of pearls, with an average size of around 7-8 millimeters.
- Small - Medium
- Size: 7-8mm
- Colour: White, cream, pink, silver, blue
- Oyster Species: Pinctada fucata
- Origin: Broken Bay Pearl Farm
KESHI PEARLS
Keshi pearls can be found in any location where cultured pearls are farmed and are a beautiful by-product of pearling. They usually come in irregular shapes, as they are as close to a natural pearl as you can get in a farmed environment. They are grown at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
- Small - Medium
- Size: 5-9mm
- Colour: White or cream
- Oyster Species: Pinctada maxima
- Origin: Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
MABE PEARLS
Mabe pearls also known as blister pearls, or half pearls. What makes Mabe pearls unique is the shape of the pearl. Because they are cultivated against the inside of the pearl shell, rather than within its tissue, one side of the pearl is flat. They are grown at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
- Medium - Large
- Size: 10-13mm
- Colour: White or cream
- Oyster Species: Pinctada maxima
- Origin: Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
SURFACE
Pearls of Australia jewellery features only clean to moderately blemished pearls. Lightly and moderately blemished pearls can be matched as strands. Regardless of the type of pearl, if the pearl has a smooth, clean surface it will be valued higher than those with multiple inclusions.
Our grading system categorises Akoya Pearls Surface as:
AAA
Clean / lightly blemished
AA
Moderately blemished
A
Heavily blemished
Our grading system categorises South Sea Pearls Surface as:
A1
Clean
A2
Very lightly blemished
A3
Lightly blemished
B1
Moderately blemished
B2
Heavily blemished
LUSTRE
Pearls of Australia jewellery exclusively features pearls of good to excellent lustre. It is observed below the pearl surface and expressed through the sharpness of the image it reflects. Lustre describes the way light reflection off the surface of the pearl, and the sharper the lustre – the more valuable the pearl.
Our grading system for both South Sea & Akoya categorises Lustre as:
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
SIZE
Our grading system for both South Sea & Akoya expresses Size as millimetres (mm) or momme (3.75g) – which is the Japanese weight measure for pearls and commonly used for the international market. In terms of both Akoya and South Sea Pearls – the larger the size, the more valuable the pearl. This is because large, perfectly symmetrical pearls are rare as they take many years to form.
South Sea Pearl Sizes
South Sea Pearl size usually range from 8 to over 20mm. Australian South Sea Pearls average size is bigger than their Indonesian and Philippines counterparts. Relative proportion and balance come into play here rather than size alone.
Akoya Pearl Sizes
Akoya Pearl size ranges from 4mm – 10mm with the average sitting around 6.5-8mm.
SHAPE
Pearls of Australia jewellery features all shapes of pearls however there is generally a larger diversity in shape from South Sea Pearls than Akoya Pearls. The rarest type of pearl is a truly round pearl – and therefore it is regarded as the most valuable.
Our grading system for both South Sea & Akoya categorises Shape as:
Round
Drop
Button
Baroque
Circle
Keshi
COLOUR
Pearls of Australia jewellery only features the natural colours of pearls we grow. Value is weighted according to the depth, saturation and rarity of the colour.
Our grading system for both South Sea & Akoya categorises Colour as:
White
Silver
Cream
Gold
Pink
Blue
Most Australian South Sea pearls sit on the Silver – White Spectrum whilst Australian Akoya will produce the full range above.
Other pearl types and rare finds can come in peacock, amber or purple natural shades and more.
For further information & special requests, please email us at [email protected]
If you want to learn more about our pearl jewellery from one of our incredibly knowledgeable and friendly customer care team – book a private in-person or virtual consultation today!