Fijian Pearls
A rare presentation of Fijian pearls from the Assael collection.
Fijian pearls are among the rarest cultured pearls in the world, prized for a natural color range found nowhere else. Produced in extremely limited quantities, these pearls display hues that include gold, green-gold, chocolate, silver, blue, and soft pastel tones, all occurring naturally without treatment.
The Fijian pearls presented here originate from J. Hunter Pearl Farm, a small boutique producer with an annual output of approximately 25,000 pearls. Since 2019, Assael has held an exclusive relationship with the farm and has been the only company in the United States to offer these exceptional pearls. Each piece reflects careful matching for color, size, and balance, highlighting the distinctive character that has made Fijian pearls so highly regarded among collectors.
This collection comes from the Assael inventory now held in our Los Angeles vault and is being made available under terms that differ meaningfully from Assael’s historical pricing model. As a result, these Fijian pearls are offered at a level of value that has not previously existed in the company’s 80-year history.
Frequently Asked questions
FAQs
Fijian pearls are rare cultured pearls produced in the waters of Fiji, primarily by the J. Hunter Pearl Farm. They are known for a natural color range that is not seen in any other type of pearl, including gold, green-gold, chocolate, silver, blue, and soft pastel tones. These colors occur naturally and are not the result of dyeing or treatment.
Production is extremely limited, with only about 25,000 pearls produced annually, making Fijian pearls among the rarest cultured pearls in the world. Since 2019, Assael has maintained an exclusive relationship with the J. Hunter Pearl Farm and has been the only company in the United States to offer these pearls. Their rarity, distinctive colors, and limited availability have made Fijian pearls highly sought after by collectors and designers.
The Assael Collection is the full body of pearl jewelry created by Assael over the past eight decades, beginning with Salvador Assael’s pioneering work in the 1950s and 60s. Assael played a central role in bringing fine Tahitian, South Sea and akoya pearls to the United States, supplying many of the most prestigious jewelers in the country. Their pieces have appeared in Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and other top houses, and Assael has long held in America the position that Mikimoto holds in Japan.
The full Assael archive spans everything from classic akoya strands to rare South Sea necklaces, important Tahitian pieces and museum level one of a kind jewels. What you see on this page is a curated selection. The broader collection, including the most significant pieces, is available by private appointment in our Los Angeles vault.
For eighty years Assael’s jewelry was offered only through a small network of top luxury retailers and private clients. The collection was never shown in full, and the values were never made public.
After the passing of Christina Assael, the company entered a new chapter and chose to release their entire historic collection with us as their partner. We spent months traveling back to forth to New York, cataloging each piece and transporting the collection to our vault in Los Angeles.
This is the first time in Assael’s history that these pieces can be acquired at values like this. They have never offered pricing of this kind before, and the opportunity is limited to the pieces available during this release. Many of the most important jewels remain accessible through private appointment.
After the passing of Christina Assael, the company made the decision to step away from the traditional wholesale model. The Assael Estate sold the inventory to a private investment group, who chose to withdraw the collection from all luxury retailers across the United States.
Rather than rebuild a wholesale network, they sought a single partner who could represent the collection with accuracy, integrity and deep expertise in pearls. We were selected for that role.
Over the past twenty-five years we have built the largest dedicated pearl operation in the country, with a reputation for education, transparency and collector-level sourcing. The investment group entrusted us with the complete archive and asked us to bring the collection directly to the public.
This partnership is exclusive, and this release represents the first time in Assael’s eighty year history that their work has been offered this way.
No. The Assael Collection is far too extensive to display in full online. What you see on this page is a curated selection of strands and special pieces.
We also hold a separate group of high jewelry creations that represent some of the finest pearls Assael produced, including exceptional strands that took decades to match. These museum level pieces will not be listed on Pearl Paradise and are available only through private inquiry.
Collectors interested in viewing this part of the collection are invited to contact Jeremy directly at jeremy@pearlparadise.com to arrange a private appointment.
No. This is a one time release from Assael’s historic collection. Once a piece is sold it is gone forever. Assael is not producing these strands or designs again, and many of the pieces required decades of careful matching, which makes duplication impossible.
When this release is finished, the collection will not return to the catalog in any form. Collectors who acquire a piece from this offering are purchasing part of Assael’s eighty year history, not an item that will be replaced or re-created.
Yes. Private appointments are available in our Los Angeles vault, where collectors can view the full archive, including the museum level pieces not shown online.
We also offer private virtual appointments for clients around the world. Our studio has four dedicated cameras and multiple lighting environments, allowing us to show pearls with accuracy and detail. We can provide as many additional photos or videos as needed to ensure you have a complete understanding of any piece.
Assael pieces follow our standard Pearl Paradise return policy. Items may be returned within the designated return window as long as they are in original condition. High jewelry pieces shown by private appointment may follow a slightly different process, which we will explain during your appointment.
For safety and insurance compliance, all shipments valued over 100,000 dollars are sent exclusively through Malca-Amit or Brinks Armored. These deliveries require coordination and adult signature, and we will work closely with you to schedule a secure arrival.