About Us
PearlJewels.com is owned and operated by Far East Pearl, Ltd., Palawan, Philippines, a primary source for South Sea Pearls. We also have a satellite office in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have been doing business on the World Wide Web since August of 2000.
History of the Palawan Pearl Farms
Palawan Pearl Farms has a rich and colorful history as a supplier of South Sea Pearls. Originally Palawan Pearl Project, it was founded in 1947; as such it is the oldest pearl farm of its kind in the Philippines.
Its founders traveled to the Philippines around the 1920's and joined McArthur's staff during World War II, after the Japanese had decimated their business in the Philippines. After the war they were assigned to assist in the Japanese occupation. While in Japan they learned about pearl farming.While rebuilding their shipping and salvage company in the Philippines, they were salvaging sunken ships in an area where a number of supply ships used by Yamashita to convey gold treasure and valuables looted from Asian treasuries were located.
Due to their education in Japan and an abundant supply of Pinctada Maxima (South Sea Pearl) oysters in the area, they established the first pearl farm of its kind in the Philippines. In fact it is in the best area of Southeast Asia for the production of South Sea pearls.To learn more about the production of cultured Pearls please take our virtual tour of a working pearl farm.