Mabe Pearls

Mabe pearls, also popularly called half pearls, are semi-spherical in shape. There is a different process for culturing these pearls due to their flat side. These pearls are cultured within saltwater oysters from Japan, Australia, French Polynesia, and Indonesia.

Mabe pearls come in a wide variety of colors from light pink to bluish shades. These vibrant colors of Mabe pearls bring value to them along with their superior texture and luster.

Culturing process of Mabe pearls is different than that of round pearls. In this process, a mold made up of plastic, or other materials, is inserted as a nucleus against side of mollusk which makes oyster deposit its nacre over the nucleus against inside its shell, which is cut from shell after harvest. Mother shell are used for culturing Mabe pearls is of Pteria penguin, also known as penguin wing oyster. Mabe pearls from Amami Ohima islands, off the southern cost of Japan, are most beautiful and most expensive due to their high quality.

Due to one flattened side, Mabe pearls are the most suitable choice for earrings and rings. It allows for secure setting for necklaces and bracelets and a concealed flat back.