Australian South Sea Pearls vs Imported Cultured Pearls

Side-by-side

Australia

Australian South Sea Pearls

Broome, WA

🇦🇺 Local

Pearl SpeciesPinctada maxima

Average Size10–20mm

Farming StandardsStrict environmental approvals

Pearl Meat EdibleYes — sought-after delicacy

HeritageMulticultural & Indigenous

Price per pearlFrom ~$500

Overall rating: Australian South Sea Pearls score 9.7/10 — the world's most prized cultured pearls.

Various

Imported Cultured Pearls

Japan / China / French Polynesia

Pearl SpeciesAkoya / freshwater

Average Size5–9mm (Akoya)

Farming StandardsVariable

Pearl Meat EdibleVariable

HeritageVarious

Price per pearlFrom ~$50 (freshwater)

Overall rating: Imported cultured pearls score 6.5/10 — broad range of quality and origin.

How Australian South Sea Pearls compares to imported equivalents on key nutrients.

Protein19.5g17g

Selenium60µg45µg

Iron4.4mg3.1mg

Vitamin B121.1µg0.7µg

Zinc2.7mg2mg