Few pieces of pearl jewelry carry the same quiet weight as a South Sea pearl pendant. One large, high-luster pearl on a chain needs nothing else. These pearls come from the warm waters of the South Pacific, and below we look at several pendants we carry and what sets each apart.

The Allure of South Sea Pearls

South Sea pearls come from two oysters. Pinctada maxima produces the white and golden pearls, farmed mainly in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Pinctada margaritifera produces the dark Tahitian pearls of French Polynesia, with their green, blue and aubergine overtones. The size and deep luster of South Sea pearls come from big oysters grown for longer than Akoya, and all of these colors are natural to the oyster, never dyed.

Each pendant below pairs one of these pearls with a gold setting. They work from an everyday outfit up to a formal one.

Showcasing Stunning South Sea Pearls

The first is the A golden South Sea Pearl 12 mm Pendant. It centers on a 12 mm golden Pinctada maxima pearl from Indonesia, clean-skinned with high luster and a light golden body color. An 18-karat white gold bail holds it on a yellow-gold-plated 925 silver chain. The warm golden tone reads rich without being loud, which makes it an easy piece to wear.

Next is the South Sea Pearl 12 mm AAA 18K Gold Pendant Necklace. This one holds a white Pinctada maxima pearl from Australian waters with strong luster, set in solid 18K gold. AAA is the top of the producer and retail trade scale, not a GIA grade, but on a single pearl like this it signals clean skin and a sharp reflection. The solid gold setting makes it a piece built to last.

If you want a little more sparkle, the Pendant Necklace of a White South Sea Pearl AAA, Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold is a good choice. It pairs a round 9 to 10 mm white South Sea pearl with a single HSI-quality diamond, on an 18K yellow gold bail. The warm gold lifts the white pearl, and the design stays clean rather than busy.

Last is the Pendant Necklace of a Tahiti Pearl 9-10 mm AAA, Diamond and 18K Solid Yellow Gold, built around a dark Tahitian pearl. The 9 to 10 mm Pinctada margaritifera pearl from French Polynesia brings high luster and natural dark color, set off by a diamond and solid 18K yellow gold. The contrast of the dark pearl against the warm gold is what makes this one stand out.

Choosing the Right South Sea Pearl Pendant

Several things to weigh when you buy a South Sea pearl pendant:

• Color: White, golden or dark Tahitian. Hold each against your skin in daylight; warmer tones often suit golden and the green-toned Tahitian pearls, cooler ones suit white and silver-grey.
• Size: Larger pearls, 12 mm and up, make a statement; 9 to 10 mm reads more delicate and works for everyday wear. Bigger pearls cost more because they take a larger oyster and longer to grow.
• Luster and surface: Look for a sharp reflection and clean skin. AAA on the trade scale points to that, but trust your eye over the letter, since the scale varies by seller and is not a GIA standard.
• Setting: Plain or set with a diamond, in solid gold. Solid 18K gold holds up better over years of wear than plated metal.

A South Sea pearl pendant gives you a lot of impact from one well-chosen pearl. Whether it is the golden luster of a Pinctada maxima pearl from Australian or Indonesian waters or the dark color of a Tahitian pearl from French Polynesia, the pieces above pair a fine pearl with solid gold. Any of them works as a gift or as something to keep for yourself.