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sells for about $1,500, while a super- high quality strand sells for about $4,500. Size on
the other hand, has to do with the age of the oyster that created the pearl (the more
mature oysters produce larger pearls) and the location in which the pearl was cultured.
The South Sea waters of Australia tend to produce the larger pearls; probably because
the water along the coast line is supplied with rich nutrients from the ocean floor. Also,
the type of mussel common to the area seems to possess a predilection for producing
comparatively large pearls
G
Historically, the world's best pearls came from the Persian Gulf, especially around what
is now Bahrain. The pearls of the Persian Gulf were natural created and collected by
breath-hold divers. The secret to the special luster of Gulf pearls probably derived from
the unique mixture of sweet and salt water around the island. Unfortunately, the natural
pearl industry of the Persian Gulf ended abruptly in the early 1930's with the discovery of
large deposits of oil. Those who once dove for pearls sought prosperity in the economic
boom ushered in by the oil industry. The water pollution resulting from spilled oil and
indiscriminate over-fishing of oysters essentially ruined the once pristine pearl producing
waters of the Gulf. Today, pearl diving is practiced only as a hobby. Still, Bahrain remains
one of the foremost trading centers for high quality pearls. In fact, cultured pearls are
banned from the Bahrain pearl market, in an effort to preserve the location's heritage.
Nowadays, the largest stock of natural pearls probably resides in India. Ironically, much
of India’s stock of natural pearls came originally from Bahrain. Unlike Bahrain, which has
essentially lost its pearl resource, traditional pearl fishing is still practiced on a small scale
in India.
