Yes, you read that right, pearls are internationally regarded as gems. They’re one of the few, if not only organic gemstone obtained from a living organism. This unique status is due to their rarity, value, natural beauty, and in the case of our pearls, their durability and color.

These last two factors are critical for our Quality Standards: all of our pearls have a very thick layer of nacre, which prevents the pearl from peeling or wearing down; and the pearl oyster provides its unusual natural colors: opalescent silver, grays, gold/bronze, blue/cyan, emerald/olive green, purple/violet, and black, but always with various Overtones: pink, violet, blue, green and gold.

Our high Quality Standards, as well as the short lifespan of the oyster, means that we also preserve the "rarity” aspect of a gemstone. While other pearl farms can boast of producing tons of pearls annually, here at Cortez Pearls ® we produce four thousand viable pearls a year.

Each and every single one of them a unique and inimitable gem that has been responsibly sourced and handled according to the principles and protocols that have granted them the status of Fair Trade Gems ®.

As you can see, the pearls you will find here are not just pretty accessories, they are gems that encapsulate the time, effort, and care that goes into producing them. They are a testament to our collaboration with nature, the long history behind Mexican pearl culture, and the beauty that can be found only in the Sea of Cortez.