Philippine pearl
Aside from those stated symbols in the Constitution and in Republic Act 8491, there are only six official national symbols of the Philippines enacted through law, namely sampaguita as national flower, narra as national tree, the Philippine eagle as national bird, Philippine pearl as national gem, arnis as national …

The Philippines are a traditional source of natural pearls and shells. The Philippines are known as an important source of golden South Sea pearls. White South Sea pearls are also produced. Most pearl farming activity is located on the island of Palawan.

Pearls evoke elegance and distinction. They are a source of incomparable joy. In the Philippines, the Golden South Sea Pearl is a national gem. This highly prized wonder of nature from our tropical shores symbolizes the embodiment of the country’s tradition and culture.

Produced from Pinctada oysters, they can only be cultured in tropical waters. Last October, in a presidential decree signed by Philippine President Fidel Ramos, the south sea pearl was named the country’s national gem. Experts say that Philippine pearls have a special orient so that the inner glow of the pearl.

Cultured Pearl Quality Therefore, even though the quality of a cultured pearl may be the same as that of a natural pearl, the cultured version is generally much more affordable because of its rarity. FACT: Pearls are the only jewels in the world created by a living animal.

Please try again later. Pilawan the site of Golden South Sea pearl farms located in the southern Philippines. Generally south sea pearls are some of the largest cultured pearls ranging in size from 8-20 mm.

Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are leading sources of these saltwater cultured pearls. South Sea cultured pearls can be white to silver or golden, depending on the type of oyster. Their large size and thick nacre, due to a long growth period, plus their limited critical growing conditions are all factors contributing to their value.

Cultured pearls from Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, are grown in the Pinctada Maxima mollusk. This shell one is called gold-lipped because of the color of the outer rim of its mother-of-pearl layer. The black-lipped mollusk can produce a variety of cultured pearl colors.

Pearl Farming in The Philippines. As for size, as with all South Sea pearls, the pearls are big, average 10-13mm after growing 18 months to no more than three years. The P . maxima mollusks, which are the species that produces South Sea pearls, love to lay it on thick so nacre thickness is not usually a problem.