Highly prized for their lustrous array of colors, and farmed in partnership with local communities, Fiji pearls are unique in the world of precious gems.
Fiji pearls are prized for their beautiful colors
Out of the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Fiji each year, only about 20,000 or so make it to lovely little Savusavu, a town of less than 5,000 on Fiji’s second largest island of Vanua Levu. If Savusavu is “Fiji’s best kept secret,” the opportunity to visit J. Hunter Pearls and see how Fiji pearls are farmed right in Savusavu Bay is another.
J. Hunter Pearls is a recent success story in the world of Fiji pearls. Since the 1960’s, Japanese pearl farmers have had a small presence in Fiji. In 1999, marine biologist Justin Hunter returned from the United States to his hometown of Savusavu with innovative new ideas on how to resurrect and grow the pearl farming industry in Fiji. Justin’s vision was to enlist local village residents as partners in order to maintain the unspoiled natural environment and create economic opportunity.
Different colors on display at J. Hunter Pearls
Stringing a multi-colored necklace Photo Credit: J. Hunter Pearls
Nowadays, J. Hunter Pearls leases from fishing rights owners, employs local workers to clean and harvest, and provides scholarships to deserving students as part of its community partner status. Additionally, the company abides by a strict environmental code of practice which has helped increase fish populations in the bay, adding local economic benefit. This video from four years ago gives an overview:
J. Hunter Pearls is located in an unassuming building across from their small pier on Savusavu Bay, with the main pearl farm located straight out from the pier.
Buoys piled in the warehouse
Schedule board in warehouse keeps track of production
We were treated to a comprehensive presentation and then shuttled out in a small skiff to the farm. In the middle of Savusavu Bay, workers were cleaning and inspecting oysters amidst the buoys that marked their growing cages.
Pearl farm workers on their way
Extracting the oysters from their netted cages
Cleaning barnacles from the oysters by hand – you can see rejected white beads on the flooring
Rough work on hands – different colored string identifies growth stages
It was at this point in our visit that we began to realize why Fiji pearls are so expensive. Not only is their color variety so unique, but the hands-on, organic aspects of their cultivation and care add to their overall finished value.
Pete holds a mature oyster
Fiji pearls still have a Japanese connection: J. Hunter Pearls employs expert technicians who come from Japan to implant the oysters with small beads (which interestingly, come from the Mississippi River). The oyster then forms the pearl around the bead, which it views as an irritant, by secreting lining material around it. The color of the pearl is determined by the color of the lining just inside the black lip of the oyster. The entire process takes about 18 months, and a producing oyster can yield 3-4 pearls on average through its lifespan.
Different linings produce different colored pearls, formed around the inserted white bead
Oyster shells post-harvest – imagine the color of the pearl from each one!
The oyster may reject the bead, resulting in no pearl. The oyster may also grow a pearl which has no nucleus, called a keshi pearl. Fiji pearls can be single color or variegated and striated. J. Hunter Pearls come in two different color palettes: warm – champagne, chocolate, copper, cranberry, gold and pistachio, and cool – deep blues and greens. Overtones can include coppery-gold, deep sapphire, dusty rose and turquoise. All are stunningly beautiful.
Keshi pearls – Photo Credit: J. Hunter Pearls
J. Hunter Pearls uses white and yellow gold settings with diamonds to enhance individual pendants
Multiple pearl bracelets often combine colors
Pearl farming isn’t without its hazards. Young oysters are fragile and prone to predators. As well, just as with land farming, natural disasters such as cyclones or environmental anomalies threaten yields. This video from three years ago shows the effects and aftermath of a cyclone.
Fiji pearls are in high demand in European markets, most notably Austria, Switzerland and Germany. J. Hunter Pearls currently exports about 70-80% of its pearls to European partners, and would like to expand in other markets.
Back in the showroom, we oohed and ahhed over the Fiji pearls which had been crafted into a variety of stunning jewelry pieces. Necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings were tempting, as well as carved mother of pearl pieces made from the shells.
Leather bracelet with three pearls
Mother of Pearl carvings
Rings and pretty things
Changes are afoot in Savusavu Bay with the approval of a high-end resort project on the foreign investor-owned island adjacent to where the pearl farm is currently located. Of concern is the potential environmental impact the project will have which may disturb the fragile ecosystem the oysters require. We felt fortunate to have visited prior to any real work being done on this project. Sweet little Savusavu will be a different place once it has been completed. All the same, we plan to visit again, and you should, too, for a glimpse of the real Fiji and real Fiji pearls.
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Oh wow – what astonishing colours! I did not know there was a pearl industry in Fiji. I do own a glorious blue Tahitian pearl in a pendant – I find coloured pealrls so much more interesting than white. Great post!
Hi Jeanne and welcome! Yes, the colors in the Fiji pearls are amazing. You’re fortunate to own a Tahitian pearl, as those are very valuable as well. 🙂
What a fun tour, thanks for taking us to those warm waters and touring this amazing place! I didn’t know there were so many different colors of pearls, which one was your favorite?
Hi Noel – We were amazed by the color range as well, but the one I liked the best was the pistachio green. Absolutely stunning and so unexpected in a pearl.
I visited a pearl factory in Majorca but it seemed like much more of a commercial enterprise for cruise tourists. Yours looks like a great visit!
Hi Irene – Yes, it was really fun to go out on the water and see how the oysters were planted and handled. Very respectful and deliberate processes.
These look like amazing pearls! My deceased mother was an absolute admirer of the beauty of real pearls and spent quite a small fortune on quality ones. So there could be something in the family line… LOL
Hi Juergen – The size and the color of Fiji pearls really make them extraordinary. It sounds like you may have inherited your mother’s appreciation. 🙂
I love pearls and these are gorgeous. I was in Hawaii on my 34th birthday, and I bought a “pearl in a can” for five bucks. Turned out to be a lovely one, and so I paid to have it put in a gold setting (of course, that is the hope). I have it on my finger now, and it is still one of my favorite rings. (I am a ring freak) 🙂
Hi Nancie – Sounds like you had a lucky day! Some of the Fiji pearl rings are so large that I had a momentary concern that I’d knock it into something by accident. But I wouldn’t mind putting it to rest. 😉
What an amazing variety of colours! It’s good to see a traditional industry being carried on in a sustainable way.
Hi Karen – It is indeed. We really admire their commitment and the product, of course, speaks for itself.
It’s amazing to me that simple oysters can produce beautiful pearls. I love the colorful ones, and it’s great this sustainable, environmentally friendly venture is providing work for the local Fijians. Hopefully it can continue!
Hi Shelley – We totally agree. 🙂
What an interesting post! I just love pearls and gems and even took a beginner’s gemology course to learn more about grading, quality and other attributes. I’d love to visit Savusavu and experience the process firsthand but in the meantime you’ve given me more of an appreciation of the effort that goes into farming pearls in Fiji as well as the beauty. The range of colours is quite fantastic.
Hi Michele – Savusavu is a gem in and of itself, not to mention the opportunity to see its pearl industry. I’m sure you’d love it all. 🙂
I would never have associated pearls with Fiji…and what incredible pearls they have! Thanks you for such an informative post Betsy.
Hi Jenny – Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Just love your photos they really tell the story so wonderfully. I had no idea such beautiful pearls came from Fiji. Thanks for the education.
Hi Sue – Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
I’m not a big jewelry wearer, but I’d love to have that multi-coloured pearl necklace. It was interesting to read about harvesting pearls. It would so much cooler to actually see it.
Hi Donna – The necklace is absolutely stunning in person. I think you’d enjoy the tour as much as we did.
I have always pictured pearls in the traditional creams and maybe some pastels but, oh the colors! Thanks for sharing this very interesting post. I hope we get a chance to visit Fiji some day.
Hi Anita – Yes, the depth of color in these pearls is unique in the world. I can’t get them out of my mind! 🙂
Wow – this whole story was breathtaking! Nature at its very best, a miracle. The pearls are magnificent. You share this story so beautifully – You have me sold on Fiji! What an amazing place.
Hi Suzanne – I’m sure you’d love Fiji for many of the same reasons we do. 🙂
Want an interesting post. Love the black pearls- they’re stunning/
Hi Billie – Once I saw the other colors, my preference for black took a back seat. But they’re all beautiful.
The Fiji pearls come in almost a rainbow of colors. I was amazed when I saw them. When I visit again, I plan to buy that 3-pearl leather bracelet. 🙂
Hi Carole – I was surprised to see and really liked the more casual feel of the leather bracelets and rings.
Gosh, what some beautiful colours. It’s a hard tough life being a pearl farmer or engaged in pearl farming – we have some in NW Australia near Broome. Fascinating to watch the process, even lovelier to buy the pearls 😉
Hi Jo – Yes, indeed, Fiji pearls are standouts, and part of that is that they’re so fragile and difficult to grow. 🙂
This was really interesting. I had no idea that pearls came in so many different colours.
Hi Cath – Neither did I. They are absolutely gorgeous.
Hi there…. I was wondering where one might buy the pearl bracelets with cord on this page.
Thank you so much!
Donna-May
Hi Donna-May – J. Hunter Pearls website: http://www.fijipearls.com/jewellery/