This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Pinctada maxima" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(September 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Pinctada maxima
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Pteriida
Family:	Pteriidae
Genus:	Pinctada
Species:	P. maxima
Binomial name
Pinctada maxima (Jameson, 1901)

Pinctada maxima is aspecies ofpearl oyster, amarinebivalvemollusk in the familyPteriidae, the pearl oysters. There are two different color varieties: the Gold-lipped oyster and the Silver-lipped oyster. These bivalves are the largest pearl oysters in the world. They have a very strong inner shell layer composed ofnacre, also known as "mother of pearl" and are important to the cultured pearl industry as they are cultivated to produce South Sea pearls.

TheSouth Sea pearl orPhilippine pearl was declared byPhilippine PresidentFidel Ramos as the nationalgem in 1996 through Proclamation No. 905.^[1][2] The oyster and pearl are depicted on the reverse side of the PhilippineNew Generation Currency Series1,000-peso bill.

Pinctada maxima oysters grow very large, up to 12 in (30 cm) in diameter.

The two color varieties have different coloration in the outer edge of the interior. This mother of pearl or nacre is responsible for the color of the pearls that the oyster can produce. Water temperature, plankton and sediments determine which color variety is more common in a given area.

Pinctada maxima produces South Sea pearls in colors ranging from white, silver, champagne, gold.Pinctada margaritifera produces South Sea pearls commonly referred to as Tahitian pearls or black pearls which in fact come in color hues including gray, platinum, charcoal, aubergine, and peacock. Currently south sea pearls are cultured primarily in Australia, Indonesia, Tahiti and now, the Philippines. Because these pearl oysters are so large, a much larger nucleus than usual can be used in culturing. Sea pearls farmed in the Philippines, typically produce golden pearls from the gold-lipped pearl oyster, which are currently experiencing a surge in popularity, resulting in increased market-demand, particularly in China.

Commercial pearl farming in Australia is mostly centered around the coastal waters ofBroome, located in the Kimberley region ofWestern Australia. Best known and valued for their white/silver with pink hues from the silver-lipped pearl oyster, Australian South Sea Pearls can grow beyond 18mm – 20mm in diameter, with a typical size of 10mm – 13mm when harvested following a two-year gestation.^{[citation needed]}

TheTahitian or black pearl comes from the black-lipped pearl oyster, produced from the waters surroundingTahiti and the French Polynesian archipelago.

Pearl meat is the adductor muscle of thePinctada maxima pearl oyster. Wild caught Australian pearl meat is MSC certified, recognising this delicacy as a sustainable seafood which can be traced to an environmentally sustainable source. In recent years, Australian pearl meat has been adopted by some of the world's leading western chefs as an exclusive, rare ingredient, with a mere six tons sourced annually. A translucent, scallop-sized medallion, pearl meat is sweet and firm. Described as a cross between calamari and lobster in taste, the flavor profile varies significantly depending on preparation. Prized as a delicacy in Asia for centuries and highly regarded for its medicinal properties, pearl meat is an excellent source ofOmega 3. It is high in protein and contains no trans-fats. It also containsvitamin A andvitamin E, as well ascalcium,iron,zinc, andiodine.

Media related topinctada maxima at Wikimedia Commons

• Pinctada maxima museum piece shaped into traditional currency once used in Papua New Guinea
• Jane C. Goodale (2015). "Saying It with Shells".To Sing with Pigs Is Human: The Concept of Person in Papua New Guinea. University of Washington Press.ISBN 978-0-295-80159-9.

• Pteriidae
• Bivalves described in 1901
• Molluscs of the Philippines
• Bivalves of Australia
• Fauna of Indonesia
• Fauna of Fiji
• National symbols of the Philippines

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from May 2020
• Articles needing additional references from September 2014
• All articles needing additional references
• Articles with 'species' microformats
• All articles with unsourced statements
• Articles with unsourced statements from July 2023
• Commons category link is on Wikidata