Pearl farm offers tour of its facility

A local pearl farm has started offering tours of its Woy Woy facility.

It is believed to be the first in the state to do so.

Broken Bay Pearls has joined with the Western Australian pearl farm Cygnet Bay Pearls to form Pearls of Australia for the purpose.

Pearls of Australia managing director Mr James Brown said pearl farming experiences like Broken Bay Pearls' farm tour were becoming increasingly important to the future of Australia's pearling industry.

"To discover how a pearl of Australia is cultivated in pristine marine environments allows you to understand the value and beauty of these high-quality gems," Mr Brown said.

"On board the cruise, guests will be immersed in the marine environment that gives birth to Broken Bay Pearls' immaculate oysters.

"Incredible marine wildlife including pelicans, turtles and stingrays as well as abundant fish are a living display of the thriving Brisbane Water marine ecosystem, essential to the farm's success," Mr Brown said.

He said the cruise would show the intricacies of pearl farming before returning to land where guests will take part in a session about the pearl harvest.

"Each will be offered a selection of Akoya and South Sea pearls to inspect, while an expert shares the seven virtues that underpin the value of these farm-direct pearls and guides guests through the grading and valuing process."

Mr Brown said the Broken Bay Akoya pearl was high quality, believed to be the premium Akoya on the global market today due to its longer cultivation, extraordinary lustre and wide range of unconventional natural colours.

SOURCE:

Media release, 30 Nov 2018

Jael Napper, Pearls of Australia