What can make a Pearl ?

Did you know that almost all species of shelled molluscs are capable of producing pearls? Yes even the humble edible oyster will commonly produce a natural pearl. Whilst these ‘pearls’ are formed through the same mechanism as the Australian South Sea Cultured pearl it is the colour and quality of the nacre which sets these pearls apart. The Pinctada maxima oyster found in the Northern Australian waters lays the calcium carbonate crystals that are found in the shell and subsequent pearl in a configuration which produces gem quality natural and cultured pearls.