O

Oyster
While 70 different species of oysters are capable of producing pearls, most of them belong to the Pinctada family. They include:
• Pinctada fucata, commonly called Akoya and used in Japan;
• Pinctada maxima, or South Seas oysters from Australia, Burma and the Philippines;
• Pinctada margaritifera, used in French Polynesia. Considered adult at three years of age, this oyster has a diameter of 15-20 cm. Some can weigh up to 5 kg (11 lbs.) live 30 years and reach 30 cm (11.8 inches) in diameter.