Golden South Sea pearls, much like white South Sea pearls, are typically larger than other saltwater pearl varieties.
Their host shell is the largest pearl-producing oyster, and is able to grow a very large pearl.
As with other saltwater oysters, the Pinctada maxima is bead-nucleated.
However, the growth period is approximately 2-4 years, unlike the Akoya pearls, which develop in one to two years, and Tahitian pearls which develop in under two years.