Where Do They Come From?
The Pinctada Maxima shells exist only in a small area of warm tropical ocean known as “the South Sea”. This area is predominantly in the Indian Ocean around Northern Australia, Southern Indonesia and the Southern Philippines. The North Australian coastline remains one of the few virgin coastlines in the world today and its protection is critical to the future of the South Sea pearl. Without this protected environment the shell will hibernate to ensure its survival, refusing to produce its precious nacre. This solitary and special shell will wait up to half a century until the circumstances are right for it to weave its own special brand of magic and produce the most beautiful of all pearls.

The area of ocean referred to as the South Seas must not be confused with Tahiti and other areas of the Pacific ocean sometimes also erroneously referred to as the South Seas. This area around Tahiti is home of the Pinctada Margaritifera - a black pearl shell which only produces pearls of varying black hues - pearls which are known as Tahitian black pearls - or sometimes recently referred to as black South Sea pearls. Unlike the rare white Pinctada Maxima, the black Pinctada Margaritifera is smaller and much more abundant than its white cousin. The quality of the nacre produced by the shells differs greatly.

Hence consumers will find the black "Tahitian" pearl readily more available and prices generally reflect the abundance of availability. The colours produced by the black shells are not available from the white South Sea shells, and vice versa.