Become a Pearl Expert
The Ultimate Guide
We show you how to grade and select pearls like a professional buyer. Learn the truth about the pearl industry and how to avoid paying retail prices.
As luminous as the full moon, the natural glow of a gorgeous South Sea pearl is unrivaled in the world. Stunning as a classic solitaire, or accented with sparkling diamonds, our selection of Golden and White South Sea pearl pendants has something to make any pearl lover swoon. Each pearl is hand-selected for its dazzling and touchable luster and variety of overtones to compliment every complexion.
A gleaming treasure from the heart of the Ocean, a South Sea Pearl Pendant from Pure Pearls is a gem to treasure forever. South Sea pearls from Australia and the Philippine Islands come in an ephemeral Silvery-White or gorgeous Golden pearl color – both of which are completely natural hues imbued by Mother Nature herself. If you’d like to delve deeper into the world of South Sea pearls, we recommend reading our Ultimate South Sea Pearl Buyer’s Guide to learn where these stunning gems come from and how they’re formed. Pure Pearls offers an incredible selection of South Sea Pearl Pendants ranging from classic Pearl Solitaire Pendants to sparkling Diamond and Pearl Pendant designs – many of which are found exclusively at Pure Pearls – to Baroque Pearl Pendants and more.
For over a decade, Pure has enforced a strict AAA Quality Only policy when it comes to our South Sea Pearl Pendants, Pearl Earrings and hand-matched South Sea Pearl Jewelry Sets. This means that our South Sea Pearl Pendants only showcase the finest, cleanest and most lustrous pearls available in the world. To learn more about our pearl grading scales, visit our #1 Google ranked Expert’s Guide to South Sea Pearl Grading. Inside, you’ll learn all about the A-AAA Quality grading benchmarks, completely broken down and explained with plenty of our trademark real-life pictures of our South Sea pearls so you know exactly what to expect when you purchase a Pearl Pendant from Pure. We create each and every South Sea pearl pendant by hand to order, using only the finest cultured pearls, 14K and 18K Gold, VS1 diamonds and precious colored gemstones.
South Sea pearl pendants feature the world's largest and most luxurious pearls, cultivated over 2-4 years in the Pinctada maxima oyster found in pristine tropical waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These prestigious pendants are distinguished by their impressive pearl sizes ranging from 9mm to 16mm or larger, thick nacre layers of 2-6mm providing exceptional depth and durability, and distinctive satiny luster that creates an elegant, sophisticated glow rather than the sharp mirror-like reflection of smaller pearl types.
South Sea pearl pendants typically feature pearls ranging in size from 9mm to 16mm or larger, with the most popular sizes falling between 10mm and 14mm for optimal visual impact and elegant proportions. Even the smaller South Sea pearls are significantly larger than most other pearl types, creating impressive presence and luxurious elegance that makes these pendants true statement pieces suitable for both special occasions and sophisticated everyday wear.
South Sea pearl pendants showcase the naturally occurring colors of these prestigious pearls, including white, silver, cream, champagne, and the highly coveted golden hues. Each color offers distinct beauty and versatility, with white and silver providing classic elegance that complements any outfit, champagne offering warm sophistication, and golden South Sea pearl pendants representing the rarest and most valuable option for those seeking ultimate luxury and exclusivity.
South Sea pearl pendants are crafted in premium precious metals that complement these valuable gems while providing secure, elegant settings that showcase the pearls' impressive size and beauty. The choice of metal affects the overall aesthetic and can enhance different pearl colors—white metals highlight cool-toned white and silver pearls with contemporary elegance, while yellow gold beautifully complements warm golden and champagne South Sea pearls with classic sophistication.
Selecting the proper chain length ensures your South Sea pearl pendant sits at the most flattering position and works well with your wardrobe and neckline preferences. Chain length affects how prominently the pendant displays and how it interacts with different clothing styles—shorter lengths create intimate elegance while longer chains provide dramatic impact and versatility for layering.
South Sea pearl pendants are available in various styles from classic solitaires to elaborate contemporary designs, each crafted to showcase these magnificent pearls' impressive size and luxurious beauty. The style you choose affects the overall formality and visual impact, with simple settings emphasizing the pearl's natural elegance and more ornate designs creating maximum glamour for special occasions and statement-making presence.
South Sea pearl pendants can certainly be worn daily, and their thick nacre layers provide excellent durability for regular wear compared to thinner-nacre pearls. However, many owners choose to alternate between everyday wear and reserving these prestigious pieces for special occasions due to their exceptional value and investment status—the decision depends on your lifestyle, care commitment, and appreciation for enjoying luxury jewelry regularly versus preserving it for meaningful moments.
Proper care preserves your South Sea pearl pendant's exceptional beauty and protects your significant investment in this luxurious jewelry piece. While the thick nacre provides excellent durability, South Sea pearls remain organic gems requiring gentle treatment and protection from chemicals, cosmetics, and conditions that can dull or damage their lustrous surface over time.
Most South Sea pearl pendants are sold as complete necklaces with a matching precious metal chain included in the price, though some pendants are also available separately for those who prefer to use their own chain. When a chain is included, it's crafted from the same precious metal as the pendant setting to ensure consistent quality, appearance, and durability throughout the piece.
South Sea pearl pendants represent excellent investment value due to the extreme rarity, exceptional quality, and lasting beauty of these prestigious gems combined with their substantial size and thick nacre. The extended 2-4 year cultivation period, limited production from specific tropical regions, and the difficulty of obtaining large, high-quality South Sea pearls creates inherent scarcity that supports lasting value, while the superior nacre ensures these pearls maintain their beauty and can be cherished and passed down across generations.
We show you how to grade and select pearls like a professional buyer. Learn the truth about the pearl industry and how to avoid paying retail prices.
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Our Pricing Explained
Luxury Grade Pearls. Lower Prices.
Luxury Grade Pearls.
Lower Prices.
The true value of pearls lies in their quality. We sell true luxury grade pearls without traditional luxury store markups.
We source the worlds finest pearls and sell direct to customers like you. You can expect to save about 1/2 the cost of traditional retail.
Pure Pearls Pricing
Traditional Retail Pricing