Paspaley Pearling Company

Renowned for the rarest and most valuable Australian South Sea pearls, we supply strands, loose pearls and mother-of-pearl shell to the world’s leading jewellery retailers and wholesalers.

Our purpose-built infrastructure – comprised of a fleet of ships and Grumman Mallards – allows us to navigate some of the world’s most remote coastlines to dive for wild shell. It is here our technicians seed and nurture the Pinctada maxima oyster to culture the world’s finest quality pearls. During harvest, our dedicated teams diligently grade the pearls according to a combination of characteristics known as ‘The Five Virtues’. The Virtues – Lustre, Complexion, Colour, Shape and Size – are what determine's each pearl’s value.



 

Our pearls are distributed through international, by-invitation only auctions and private sales. Our key distribution centre is in Sydney, with offices in Japan and Hong Kong where a wide selection of loose pearls, matched pairs and strands are available for viewing.

Our reputation is built on a foundation of trust, respect and integrity which transcends generations. A passion for excellence and commitment to quality is at the heart of everything we do. It is with the same passion and excitement that we approach and build long-term partnerships with our wholesale and retail customers.

Australian South Sea pearls

 Australian South Sea pearls are the rarest and most valuable of all pearl types. The South Sea pearl oyster, the Pinctada maxima, is the largest and rarest pearl oyster and produces the finest pearl nacre of any mollusc.

From our humble beginnings in the 1930s, originally as a natural pearling company, we have built our success through Australian South Sea pearl cultivation. With numerous pearl farms dotted along more than 2500 kilometres of the remote, pristine coastline of north-west Australia, Paspaley’s harvests represent the majority of Australian South Sea pearl production. For more than 50 years, we have produced cultured South Sea pearls of exceptional quality and beauty through a respectful partnership with nature. Driven by the ‘leave no footprint’ philosophy, we have long appreciated the

knowledge that a pearl’s quality and beauty is intrinsically influenced by the waters in which it grows.
Scientific studies have proven the zero environmental impact of our pearl farming techniques. Today we are a world authority in research and development of the fragile Pinctada maxima oyster, and world leaders in sustainable aquaculture practices. It is the collection of our oysters by hand that has earned us an international reputation for being a model sustainable fishery.

Committed to the safety of our employees, we operate under the ‘Pearling Code of Practice’, a guide which stipulates the working conditions and environmental guidelines pearling businesses should operate within.

Discover more: www.australiansouthseapearls.com

Regulations

The Australian Government protects and manages the pearl oyser fishery with strict quotas and a range of legislation enforcing high standards of social and environmental responsibility in the pearling industry.

As a result of the government's strict regulation and the good fortune of an isolated and pristine environment, Australia's pearl beds are healthier today than they have been for a century.

Waste Discharge Licence