Why Are These Pearls So Big?
The white South Sea pearl is the largest and rarest pearl in the world. They are produced by the largest oyster shell, the silver and gold lip Pinctada Maxima. This shell, when it is presented with perfect natural conditions, coats a small nucleus inserted by man, with dozens of skins of pure thick and lustrous pearl nacre over several years. It is the thickness of this nacre that creates the largest of all pearls - the white South Sea cultured pearl. The size of the shell is an advantage when producing these pearls, but it is in itself a rarity and is of a solitary nature, which means it will only produce these wondrous pearls if conditions are favourable.