South Sea origin
Pinctada maximaThe only oyster that produces true South Sea pearls. One industry source puts Indonesia at roughly 45% of world production, around USD 500 million as of 2014.
Authentic means Pinctada maxima pearls from Bali and Lombok farms, sold with per-piece inspection notes, disclosed colour treatment and export papers that match the invoice. Documented, not claimed.
All four must hold at once. The label "Bali pearl" gets attached to plenty of jewelry that never touched Indonesian water.
Chinese freshwater rounds mounted in Bali silver can be attractive jewelry. They are not authentic Bali pearl jewelry and should not be priced like it.
Run these before money moves. All of them work remotely over video, which is how most wholesale buyers deal with us.
| Check | What authentic looks like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Species and water | Pinctada maxima, South Sea, farm region named | "South Sea style" or no water source given |
| Golden colour | Champagne-toned, treatment status in writing | Deep saturated gold, no disclosure offered |
| Drill hole | Clean nacre layers, no colour concentration | Dye ring or colour bleeding inside the hole |
| Pricing basis | Per gram or per piece against grade and size | One flat price across mixed sizes and grades |
| Grading | From inspection notes or a genuine certificate | "AAA" claimed with nothing behind it |
| Paperwork | Invoice, inspection notes, export documents on request | A "certificate" from a lab you cannot look up |
Species and water
Golden colour
Drill hole
Pricing basis
Grading
Paperwork
Export paperwork is itself an authenticity test: a seller who cannot produce it is not exporting legally. As of 2026, subject to regulatory change, an Indonesian pearl export moves with the papers below.
Pearls are not CITES-listed, so no KLHK wildlife permit applies, though corals and protected shells in mixed jewelry need one. Lombok pearl shipments passed IDR 507.9 billion in 2023, more than double the 2022 total.
You get inspection notes and a written quotation, not a sales pitch.
Size range, colour, grade expectation, quantity and destination country, by WhatsApp or email.
Per-piece inspection notes, gram weights, and macro photos or video.
A live video call. Commission an independent lab test now if you want one.
Priced per grade and size. The quotation, not this page, fixes the price.
Approve the invoice, packing list, HS code and any Certificate of Origin, then pay. The BKIPM-inspected shipment arrives with its papers.
Indicative as of 2026; the written quotation confirms. Across Indonesia, studies report IDR 100,000 up to IDR 5,000,000 per gram by type and grade.
| Option | Typical size | Basis | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loose South Sea, commercial grades | 8–10 mm | Per gram, after inspection | IDR 100,000–250,000 per gram |
| Loose South Sea, fine luster | 10–13 mm | Per gram, after inspection | IDR 250,000–500,000 per gram |
| Single statement pearls | 13 mm and up | Per piece, graded individually | USD 2–7,500 per piece |
| Finished pendant or ring | 9–12 mm pearl | Written quotation | Pearl grade plus metal and work |
| Wholesale lots and OEM runs | Mixed | Written quotation | Per lot after joint inspection |
Loose South Sea, commercial grades
Loose South Sea, fine luster
Single statement pearls
Finished pendant or ring
Wholesale lots and OEM runs
Checking a piece you were offered?
Send the BD desk what you have. We tell you which checks and papers to ask for.
Ask the desk
Tell the BD desk your size, colour and destination market. You get inspection notes and a written quotation.