Founded in 1995, the South Sea Pearl Consortium is a non-profit organisation created by Nicholas Paspaley and several like-minded people to educate jewellery designers and retailers, as well as the consumer, to the special qualities of the South Sea pearl.

Since its early days beginning in Asia, the Consortium has grown along with the great interest and demand for information on the largest and rarest of pearls, South Sea cultured pearls. The Consortium now has a presence in Europe and the United States as well as in Asia, providing information to the press, retailers, designers and consumers.

The SSPC programme includes holding seminars for the retailers to educate them about South Sea cultured pearls and how to make them a part of their shop inventories. The Consortium also provides materials to help train retail staff to enable them to answer their customers’ questions concerning white South Sea pearls. A regular newsletter, press releases and promotional events, as well as representing the South Sea pearl at industry forums, completes the SSPC programme.

In order to understand the qualities of the white South Sea cultured pearl and what makes it so sought after, it is important to understand the history of these gems. The history of the South Sea pearl is fascinating; these pearls have been prized for thousands of years. Indeed, wars have been fought over these precious gems and many legends and stories are woven around the pearls of old. As early as the 16th century, natural South Sea pearls were being traded in India and as far away as Europe. In days gone by, all the wealthy ladies and gentlemen of the royal courts in Europe, such as Queen Elizabeth the First of England, were wearing natural white pearls. Larger, whiter and more lustrous than any other pearl, South Sea pearls were valued above all others. Early pearl fishers risked many dangers to dive deep for these precious gems and just as in these bygone days, the divers still face the perils of the sea in the quest for the perfect pearl.

Today natural South Sea pearls are hardly ever found. Sadly the search for natural pearls pushed the South Sea pearl oyster to the edge of extinction. Even as late as the 1980’s  these oysters were being taken and killed just to find any natural pearl that may be in the shell. Now, unlike then, the hunt for natural South Sea pearls is prohibited as these oysters are now protected by Australian government legislation. This states that the oysters can only be used by the South Sea cultured pearl industry in a sustainable manner that ensures that the valuable natural pearl oyster beds are protected,

For many years it seemed that the ability to produce any comparable pearls was a far off dream. But thanks to dedicated pearl companies such as the SSPC sponsor Paspaley, what was once considered a dream has now become reality. The natural pearl beds of Australia have been protected and these precious gems are being cultivated in the pristine marine conditions of these Southern oceans.

White South Sea cultured pearls come from the Pinctada maxima oyster, a rare and solitary oyster. Unless the conditions are suitable for this oyster, it will hibernate, refusing to produce its precious nacre and produce a pearl.

Almost three quarters of the world’s Pinctada maxima oysters grow in beds that lie off the untouched coast of North West Australia. It remains one of the few virgin coastlines in the world today and its protection is critical to the future of the South Sea pearl.

The rarity, size and the quality and richness of the wonderful nacre of the South Sea pearl make these pearls unique above all cultured pearls; making them as close to the natural pearl of old as it is possible to be.

Although the oysters are seeded by man with a nucleus, they are then returned to the sea and back into the hands of nature where for two years the oyster is left in these ideal waters to produce the nacre that gives each pearl its distinctive qualities.

Like no other pearl, the great beauty of South Sea pearls, natural or cultured, comes from their lustre or orient. Lustre such as this is only possible with nacre from the South Sea pearl oyster. This lustre comes from deep within the pearl much as light filters up from a sea bed and has a soft, creamy voluptuous intangible appearance that changes mood under different light conditions. The South Sea pearl’s rich creamy nacre produces this unequalled lustre and makes these pearls so highly sought after.

Information such as the above is important for the customer when making a choice over which pearls to purchase. The SSPC also encourages the consumer who buys South Sea cultured pearls to ask for a guarantee that states that the pearls they purchase are of natural lustre and have not been treated in any way.

South Sea pearls are by their nature the ultimate pearl and as such are a gift to treasure. A strand of white South Sea cultured pearls is not just for one lifetime but a treasure that can be passed down from generation to generation; a family heirloom. Reliable retailers should provide the best possible information to their customers including a certificate of authenticity. After all, a gift of pearls will always retain its meaning and appeal. This is a gift that fills the receiver with pleasure and enjoyment each time the pearls are worn. And pearls love to be worn, taking their warmth from the skin and deepening their lustre.

When you consider the unique environment from which this pearl comes and the meticulous and onerous care and attention required to provide the ideal conditions to produce these gems, you cannot fail but to be in awe of nature’s ability to produce, with a helping hand from man, such wondrous pearls.

For more information visit the SSPC website on www.sspc.net or write to sspc@sspc.net