Harvest

The time between the production of spat in the hatchery and seeding of the oyster is around 2 years and then an additional 2 years is required to allow a pearl to form fully between seeding and harvest. This means a total process of 4 years.

3-6 months after seeding, the pearl oysters are x-rayed to identify nucleus retention. If the nucleus has been rejected by the oyster, a pearl known as a ‘keshi’ may have formed and / or the oyster may undergo a second operation of being re-seeded.

Like seeding, harvesting a pearl requires another surgical operation to reopen the gonad and extract the pearl. The size, shape, colour, lustre and quality of a pearl cannot be determined until harvest.

After the pearls are harvested and graded, they are ready to be crafted by man into beautiful jewellery to adorn the bodies of women (and men) world over.