Pearls of Australia

Note: This article was tagged for deletion on Wikipedia under Criteria for speedy deletion (CSD): Unambiguous advertising (G11).

Pearls of Australia is a private Australian pearl farming and jewellery company that operates multiple pearling businesses in Australia. The company was established in 2018 and brings together pearling operations producing South Sea and Akoya pearls.

History

Pearls have been associated with Australia's maritime heritage since the 19th century when the pearling industry emerged along the north-western coast, particularly around Broome, Western Australia. Broome, founded in 1883, became a centre for harvesting wild pearl oysters, notably the Pinctada maxima, which were primarily used in buttons and decorative items. Over time, pearling transitioned from wild shell harvesting to cultured pearl farming as techniques developed internationally.

In 1946 Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, located on the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome, was established by Dean Brown and his family and became one of the first Australian-owned and operated pearl farms. Originally Dean's focus was on harvesting wild pearl shell before transitioning to cultured pearl production following regulatory changes.

In 2003, Broken Bay Pearl Farm was established on the lower Hawkesbury River in New South Wales as the only cultured pearl farm operating in the state, focusing on Akoya (Pinctada fucata) pearl oysters. Its management later entered into an operational partnership with Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.

In 2018, Pearls of Australia was formed as a brand to consolidate Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm and Broken Bay Pearl Farm under common ownership and management, encompassing South Sea pearl production in Western Australia and Akoya pearl production in New South Wales.

Operations

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is located on the remote Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia. It is one of the longest continuously operating Australian-owned pearl farms, producing cultured South Sea pearls. The farm has operated as a tourism destination since 2009, offering guided tours related to pearl farming and oyster cultivation.

Broken Bay Pearl Farm

Broken Bay Pearl Farm is situated on the lower Hawkesbury River in New South Wales. It produces cultured Akoya pearls and oysters. The farm conducts tours focused on aquaculture and pearl farming practices.

Sustainability and Environmental Practices

Pearls of Australia reports that its pearling operations incorporate a focus on environmental management practices. Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm has published a sustainability strategy outlining measures relating to marine ecosystem management, energy efficiency measures, engagement with Indigenous communities, and reporting on environmental impacts, including carbon emissions.

Oyster cultivation has been cited by the company as contributing to water filtration, nutrient cycling and marine habitat formation.

Products and Experiences

Pearls of Australia produces a range of pearl jewellery using cultured South Sea pearls and cultured Akoya pearls. Jewellery production is conducted at the Perth Studio, the Pearls of Australia Head Office, located in Subiaco, Western Australia.

In addition to jewellery production, Pearls of Australia operates tourism activities at its farm locations, including farm tours and demonstrations related to pearl cultivation and grading.

Awards and Recognition

Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm has received multiple tourism accolades, including Gold in the Unique Accommodation category at the Western Australian Tourism Awards and induction into the Awards’ Hall of Fame.

James Brown, managing director of Pearls of Australia, was named Australian Farmer of the Year in 2021. The award marked the first time a recipient from the aquaculture sector had received the title.

Australian Pearling Industry

The Australian pearling industry has historically been centred in Western Australia, with Broome once dubbed the “pearling capital of the world” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It expanded as cultured pearling techniques evolved globally in the 20th century. While economic downturns, environmental challenges and reduced global demand have led to consolidation in the sector, a handful of pearl farms remain operational, including Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay pearl farms.

Today, the industry balances traditional aquaculture and pearl production with eco-tourism and scientific research into sustainable broodstock, hatchery production, and pearl quality. Pearls of Australia participates in this modern landscape by promoting high quality Australian pearls and educating consumers about their sustainable pearl cultivation.

Structure

Pearls of Australia is a family owned and run business, with its head office in Subiaco, Western Australia.

The following businesses operate under Pearls of Australia's Group of Companies:

  • Pearls of Australia
  • Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
  • Broken Bay Pearl Farm
  • Lustre Collective

See Also

  • Pearling in Western Australia
  • Dampier Peninsula
  • Pearls