Is there anything like a collectable cultured pearl?

[SevenOranges]

Hello everyone
I am holidaying in NZ and Australia and was reading about Paspaley with much interest.
I am thinking of adding a single pearl to the bottom of a broach done in an old Indian style and as a start looked at natural pearls from Bahrain. I think I could find a wonderful and exceptional drop from there (but at a price). However, being in Australia and NZ for ten days or so, I wondered if I should look for a single execeptional pearl, given the pearling history of this part of the globe.
Ideally I suppose the pearl could either be round or drop shaped. The brooche is just under two inches and set in gold with rubies, diamonds and emeralds (I am not so comfortable posting a picture here but can email some members).
But conceptually I just wondered if I there is anything like a single fabulous CULTURED pearl that could be considered a collectable pearl or are there just so many in such a variety of colours available that it would be the size of a golfball with the lustre like the winter moon to really be considered unique?
Love to hear your thoughts!

[jshepherd]

A large perfect pearl could certainly be a collector's piece. I recently saw a perfect South Sea round that was a little more than 18 mm. The seller wanted about $10,000 for it. I am sure he will get it as well. The only way to get your hands on something like that (in the trade as one could always pay retail) is to purchase a lot at auction that has a few larger pieces. I once asked Paspaley for a lot of just 18 mm+ pearls and they refused. They are the center-piece pearls. They do not sell them alone.

[Mikeyy]

A large perfect pearl could certainly be a collector's piece. I recently saw a perfect South Sea round that was a little more than 18 mm. The seller wanted about $10,000 for it. I am sure he will get it as well. The only way to get your hands on something like that (in the trade as one could always pay retail) is to purchase a lot at auction that has a few larger pieces. I once asked Paspaley for a lot of just 18 mm+ pearls and they refused. They are the center-piece pearls. They do not sell them alone.

I can still see that perfect pearl under the lights at Pas's shop in Broome. Sitting there all by itself. It was priced at $16,000 retail. Later Nick shot me a better price. I should have done it. I can still see it. It was only about 16mm. But I have never forgotten that one pearl. I have seen better and more expensive. But the light and glow. Well yes you can buy individual masterpieces.

[Pearling Technologies]

I guess some may agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and as such almost any pearl could be classified as a 'collectible' to that person who owns it. Notwithstanding there are still some generally accepted unique pearls. On Paspaley's web site there is talk of the 'Paspaley Pearl' which is believed to be the single most unique pearl produced by the group. Said to be almost priceless and arguably worth more than their multi million dollar strand sold some time ago.

I can still remember single pearls being sold for very high prices in the heyday of pearling in Australia. One 18mm (I think) pearl was sold boat side for around AUD$60,000.00 and was purchased by a Japanese pearl dealer. I wonder what it's worth now? Not nearly that much.

[Valeria101]

It isn't too hard t imagine what could be a 'collectible' cultured pearls - one that is desirable and guaranteed to remains rare. Something close to the biological limits of the species (to insure that new technologies don't make the current 'rarity' run of the mill with the next, improved harvest!), devoid of defects and with at least one quality characteristic over the top... There is a thread about Aussie and NZ pearls with a bunch of examples: some large, some perfect, some surprisingly colored, some all of the above ... walnut sized baroque pearls with crazy orient. Abalone mabes perfect and big as a coin. That sort of thing.

I have not been too interested but this question so far, so I am missing completely a rather important piece of information: where on Earth can one resell such collectibles after all! To be 'collectible' something must retain some liquidity and value (at least), methinks. Looking at auctions, the favored cultured pearl items are necklaces and even those do not sell every time. Natural pearls do. I am not implying or assuming anything - just don't know.


The nicest pearl I would consider 'collectable' that I have seen in person (and must have influenced the way I am thinking of the matter) was a huge, golden baroque with the shape vaguely reminding a rounded cloud set in a necklace with a prominent signature on it. The peal had pleasing variations of the color from pinkish cream to deep golden, great lustre, quite a bit of iridescence of various shades, and some surface texture; not a 'perfect' pearl, but one anyone could love. No conspicuous blemishes (although some may have been covered by the setting) and remarkable size - perhaps ~ 3cm wide and not much smaller in Evey other direction.

I cannot remember the exact price - high, but not shocking. The peal was perfectly suited for the design, appealing and hard to replace though.

Just 2c.

[Mikeyy]

It isn't too hard t imagine what could be a 'collectible' cultured pearls - one that is desirable and guaranteed to remains rare. Something close to the biological limits of the species (to insure that new technologies don't make the current 'rarity' run of the mill with the next, improved harvest!), devoid of defects and with at least one quality characteristic over the top... There is a thread about Aussie and NZ pearls with a bunch of examples: some large, some perfect, some surprisingly colored, some all of the above ... walnut sized baroque pearls with crazy orient. Abalone mabes perfect and big as a coin. That sort of thing.

I have not been too interested but this question so far, so I am missing completely a rather important piece of information: where on Earth can one resell such collectibles after all! To be 'collectible' something must retain some liquidity and value (at least), methinks. Looking at auctions, the favored cultured pearl items are necklaces and even those do not sell every time. Natural pearls do. I am not implying or assuming anything - just don't know.


The nicest pearl I would consider 'collectable' that I have seen in person (and must have influenced the way I am thinking of the matter) was a huge, golden baroque with the shape vaguely reminding a rounded cloud set in a necklace with a prominent signature on it. The peal had pleasing variations of the color from pinkish cream to deep golden, great lustre, quite a bit of iridescence of various shades, and some surface texture; not a 'perfect' pearl, but one anyone could love. No conspicuous blemishes (although some may have been covered by the setting) and remarkable size - perhaps ~ 3cm wide and not much smaller in Evey other direction.

I cannot remember the exact price - high, but not shocking. The peal was perfectly suited for the design, appealing and hard to replace though.

Just 2c.

Good point.

[Valeria101]

...it would be the size of a golf ball with the lustre like the winter moon to really be considered unique?

Now that I see this:

... a Melo pearl could be as large and round as a golf ball; there is at least one on record with these characteristics; Maybe some Tridacna pearl, although I am not aware of large symmetrical ones. None cultured, as far as I know.

... I am not sure of the winter moon part; that would be a puny and sad one, locally - sort of scenery that gets you frozen just by looking at it! The non-nacreous white pearls remind me of a winter moon. For some reason, I like those relatively worthless things

[smetzler]

…looked at natural pearls from Bahrain. I think I could find a wonderful and exceptional drop from there (but at a price).

I guess so! Not too long ago we were dreaming of replacing the cultured centerpiece for an otherwise natural necklace (beautiful cream SS drop 16mm valued at $4000) and were quoted $150K for a comparable Sejny (cream drop) from Bahrain!

[pattye]

Have you thought about a huge SS keishi? I have seen some in drop shape, amazing lustre------donno about the golf ball size however!!!
They were smaller than that for sure. Sounds like you have quite a vision in your mind-------------!!!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[airdancer]

Items that gorgeous may be extremely expensive but may not be collectible - in the sense that by holding it, its value may rise unlike such as pipes, art, pens, stamps, antique furniture. Jewelery is expensive because of its uniqueness so, I think that only by making it more unique then it's value will rise. For instance, as Jeremy mentioned, putting the pearl as the part of a designer's masterpiece, or creating utterly baseless rumours that some royalty of some faraway kingdom has eyes on it.

Great topic and great responses!

[Valeria101]

I think that only by making it more unique then it's value will rise.

Just my impression: there is a thin line between 'odd', 'unusual' and 'rare'. Not too easy to cross when there is significant value involved...

[SevenOranges]

Thank you all for your replies. I am back with a good internet connection now in Christchurch. Tomorrow I fly to Melbourne. I resisted getting a little black pearl pendant for my sister (at NZ$1000 - 11mm teardrop) because I am hoping to find something nice for her birthday in Melbourne. If you think there is anywhere in particular I should drop by, please send me a message.
Thanks again!

[GemGeek]

The Blue Pearl Center in Christchurch! Not sure of the name, but you should at least look at the Eyris Blue mabe abalone pearls. The colors are sooooo pretty. Have fun!

[Kevin Canning]

one that is desirable and guaranteed to remains rare. Something close to the biological limits of the species

I think that statement is a good start. Some time a go a large round FWP might have been considered "collectable" but now a days they are a pretty common.

Today I'd even consider a fine cortez pearl collectable, but if they significantly up production then that won't be case.