South Sea cultured pearls are the largest of all pearls and therefore often referred to as the queens of pearls. They normally have diameters ranging from 9 mm to about 17 mm. Very rarely, a pearl farmer may find larger ones. The oysters must be carefully raised and cared for. Only about thirty of one hundred raised oysters will yield commercial grade pearls. And in these thirty oysters, farmers will harvest only one or two pearls of flawless quality.
For this reason, large, beautiful, and symmetric South Sea cultured pearls classified as top quality are very rare, extremely coveted, and highly valuable. Basically, a distinction is made between two main color categories: white and dark South Sea cultured pearls.

Photo: Blossom-shaped ring, with golden South Sea cultured pearl 12.5 mm, in matt pink gold. Designed and crafted by Atelier Türler.