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Australia is the world’s major producer of white South Sea pearls, for during the 1998 season the tropical waters off northern Australia yielded ~ 60 per cent of total world production of these much desired and very valuable bead-nucleated cultured pearls.
White South Sea pearls are large (>10 mm diameter) rounded, lustrous, white, silvery, cream, or golden pearls that are cultivated by man in the gold- and silver-lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima) that is indigenous to the off-shore waters of northern Australia. Other white South Sea pearls produced by the Australian pearling industry include ‘accidental’ whole baroque keshi pearls, and cultured bead nucleated half pearls that are commonly termed mabés.
The white South Sea pearl is a comparative newcomer to Australia’s pearling industry, for the history of this primary industry stretches back for well over a century to the time when Australia was one of the major supplier of natural pearls to European and American markets. |
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 Current Australian Production
Total production of South Sea pearls (excluding low grade pearls unsuitable for jewellery) by Australia’s 16 major producers was 350 kan for 1997, and estimated to reach 400 kan (1,500 kg) for 1998.
Since 1987 production has increased at an average yearly rate of 8 per cent. More importantly, the size of pearls produced has been increasing more significantly that their quantity.
Production, which is presently controlled by an annual government quota of harvested wild oysters, is expected to increase further as more use is made of use of hatchery-grown stock. |
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