{"title":"12mm South Sea Pearl Loose","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"ssp-programmatic-page\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ssp-founder-commentary\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12mm white South Sea pearls represent the upper-mid range of \u003cem\u003ePinctada maxima\u003c\/em\u003e harvests — large, but not so large that the price climbs past most jewelers' working budget. These come from the silver-lipped variant of \u003cem\u003ePinctada maxima\u003c\/em\u003e, primarily Australian and Indonesian farms. The white here is true white with subtle pink overtones in the AAA pieces; cream-leaning whites are graded AA. Surface tolerance: 95% clean for AAA, 85% clean for AA. Drilled or undrilled. Most jewelers use this size for solitaire pendants or statement single-pearl earrings; strand work at 12mm is heavier and pricier — typically reserved for high-end commissions. Each pearl ships with the harvest certificate and farm origin. Larger sizes (13mm, 14mm, 15mm) and matched pairs available — contact us directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ssp-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre South Sea pearls more valuable than Tahitian at the same size?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally yes. South Sea pearls have the thickest nacre of any cultured pearl (2-6mm vs Tahitian 0.8-2.5mm), and Pinctada maxima takes 2-3 years to produce a harvestable pearl versus 18-24 months for Pinctada margaritifera. At 12mm AAA, white South Sea pearls typically command $200-500 per pearl wholesale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between Australian and Indonesian South Sea pearls?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAustralian farms (mostly Western Australia) tend toward whiter, more uniformly round pearls. Indonesian farms (Sulawesi, Lombok) produce a wider color spectrum and more baroque shapes. Both are \u003cem\u003ePinctada maxima\u003c\/em\u003e; quality is comparable at AAA grade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow thick is the nacre on a 12mm South Sea pearl?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAAA 12mm South Sea pearls have nacre thickness of 2-4mm minimum. We measure nacre via candling and X-ray for any pearl over $300; certificates note the measured nacre depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I see additional images of a specific pearl before buying?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. For loose pearls $200+, we provide 360-degree video and macro shots on request. Email us with the SKU and we send within 24 hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre these natural color or treated?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNatural color, untreated. White South Sea pearls require no color treatment — Pinctada maxima's silver-lipped variant produces white nacre directly. Be cautious of \"white\" pearls priced significantly below market — those are often dyed Akoya or freshwater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Are South Sea pearls more valuable than Tahitian at the same size?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Generally yes. South Sea pearls have the thickest nacre of any cultured pearl (2-6mm vs Tahitian 0.8-2.5mm), and Pinctada maxima takes 2-3 years to produce a harvestable pearl versus 18-24 months for Pinctada margaritifera. At 12mm AAA, white South Sea pearls typically command $200-500 per pearl wholesale.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What's the difference between Australian and Indonesian South Sea pearls?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Australian farms (mostly Western Australia) tend toward whiter, more uniformly round pearls. Indonesian farms (Sulawesi, Lombok) produce a wider color spectrum and more baroque shapes. Both are \u003cem\u003ePinctada maxima\u003c\/em\u003e; quality is comparable at AAA grade.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How thick is the nacre on a 12mm South Sea pearl?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"AAA 12mm South Sea pearls have nacre thickness of 2-4mm minimum. We measure nacre via candling and X-ray for any pearl over $300; certificates note the measured nacre depth.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I see additional images of a specific pearl before buying?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. For loose pearls $200+, we provide 360-degree video and macro shots on request. Email us with the SKU and we send within 24 hours.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Are these natural color or treated?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Natural color, untreated. White South Sea pearls require no color treatment \\u2014 Pinctada maxima's silver-lipped variant produces white nacre directly. Be cautious of \\\"white\\\" pearls priced significantly below market \\u2014 those are often dyed Akoya or freshwater.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"CollectionPage\", \"name\": \"12mm South Sea Pearls \\u2014 Loose, AAA Grade\", \"description\": \"Loose 12mm white South Sea pearls from Pinctada maxima oyster. AAA grade, Australian and Indonesian sourcing. Certificate of authenticity. For custom strand and pendant work.\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.thesouthseapearl.com\/collections\/ssp-12mm-south-sea-pearl-loose\"}\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"golden-south-sea-pearl-12-mm-grade-1-semi-round","title":"Golden South Sea Pearl 12 mm Grade 1 Semi-Round","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGolden South Sea Pearl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize 12.4 mm \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGolden Color\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh Luster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSemi-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull drilled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":" The South Sea Pearl","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53285662916946,"sku":"D-304","price":288.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/4647\/1487\/files\/D304-1.webp?v=1777108700"},{"product_id":"south-sea-pearl-white-cream-color-12-mm-grade-1-off-round-shape","title":"South Sea Pearl White-Cream Color 12 mm Grade 1  off-round shape","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite-Cream Color South Sea Pearl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize 12.4 mm \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShape off-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh Luster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrade 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"The South Sea Pearl","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53285686018386,"sku":"DP110","price":584.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/4647\/1487\/files\/1978-1.webp?v=1777109605"},{"product_id":"white-south-sea-pearls-12-mm-grade-1-high-luster","title":"White South Sea Pearls 12 mm Grade 1 High Luster","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite South Sea Pearls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize 12 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSemi-Round\/Drop Shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrade 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull Drill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice Per Piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"The South Sea Pearl","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53285799887186,"sku":null,"price":82.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/4647\/1487\/files\/20260425_120048.jpg?v=1777111760"},{"product_id":"south-sea-pearls-12-mm-baroque-shape-grade-1","title":"South Sea Pearls 12 mm Baroque Shape Grade 1","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite South Sea Pearls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize 12 mm \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaroque Shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh Luster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrade 1 \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull Drill 1 mm \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice is per piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"The South Sea Pearl","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53296556966226,"sku":"72","price":82.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/4647\/1487\/files\/20260427_133800.jpg?v=1777290609"},{"product_id":"white-south-sea-pearls-12-mm-high-luster","title":"White South Sea Pearls 12 mm  High Luster","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite Color South Sea Pearls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize 12 mm \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSemi-round shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrade 2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh Luster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull drill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice per piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"The South Sea Pearl","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53312791052626,"sku":"78","price":182.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/4647\/1487\/files\/20260429_072824.jpg?v=1777440878"},{"product_id":"white-south-sea-pearls-12-mm-round-high-luster","title":"White South Sea Pearls 12 mm Round High Luster","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite South Sea Pearls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize 12 mm \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRound shape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh Luster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight marks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull drill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrice per piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"The South Sea Pearl","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53319431160146,"sku":"90","price":82.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0071\/4647\/1487\/files\/20260430_121815_1.jpg?v=1777544697"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.thesouthseapearl.nl\/collections\/ssp-12mm-south-sea-pearl-loose.oembed","provider":" The South Sea Pearl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}