South Sea Keshi pearls are usually very small in size. You can find them on the internet and although they are called large, they usually are only about 10 or 12 mm. It is extremely extremely rare to find keshi pearls at 30 mm in diameter. But that is what I found at a Scottsdale, Arizona Estate.

Keshi pearls are formed after the cultured pearl is removed, either on purpose or the oyster has spit it out. Then a pearl sac is formed. Keshi pearls are exceptionally lustrous because they are 100% solid nacre!! Extra large Keshis are very very rare. These pearls are approximately 1 and 1/4" long by 1" to 1 and 1/4" wide - that's over 30 mm in diameter!!! So, why are they not found more often? That's because today, South Sea pearl farms have a process where they x-ray oysters to see if the core has been expelled. If there is no core at the center, the mollusc is either discarded or another core or nucleus is put in it to form a round pearl. A mollusc without a nucleus has to be kept alive for a long time to form a large sac. Collecting several LARGE ones, enough to make a necklace must have taken many many years. And these keshi pearls most likely were collected by a pearl farmer and then made into a necklace.

Pearls are the June birthstone and they are also popular for 3rd wedding anniversaries.

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SOLD KESHI PEARL NECKLACE 14K 30mm PEARLS	*****NEW LISTING*****   Keshi Pearl and 14K Gold Runway Necklace (signed 14k) Item FN9393 It is pretty hard to impress Sassy because she has had an eye for the rarest and most unusual antique and vintage jewelry for many years. She has seen the best of the best. But I have to tell you, she was breathless and speechless when her picker presented this necklace. From a wealthy estate in Scottsdale, Arizona comes the finest, most magnificent circa 1960s pearl necklace that Sassy has ever seen. Overall, it is a beautiful taupe color - not too blue, not too brown, not too yellow, not too gray. It's a combination of all those colors blending together for a beautiful taupe and with a nacre that is to die for! South Sea Keshi pearls are usually very small in size so these beauties are extremely rare. Keshi pearls are formed after the cultured pearl is removed.either on purpose or the oyster has spit it out. Then a pearl sac is formed. Keshi pearls are exceptionally lustrous because they are 100% solid nacre!! Extra large Keshis are very rare. These pearls are approximately 1 and 1/4" long by 1" to 1 and 1/4" wide - that's over 30 mm!!! So, why are they not found more often? Today South Sea pearl farms x-ray oysters to see if the core has been expelled. If there is no core at the center, the mollusc is either discarded or another core or nucleus is put in it to form a round pearl. A mollusc without a nucleus has to be kept alive for a long time to form a large sac. Finding several LARGE ones? Come on!! This exceptional pearl necklace is 17" long and closes with a smaller Keshi pearl and 14k white gold clasp that has the typical pearl necklace closure - hook and push clasp. This necklace is very very very rare. Excellent condition. Price $3000.00 SOLD