During the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent royal tour of Fiji, J Hunter Fiji Pearls presented a colorful 18-inch pearl necklace, named “The Sussex Strand,” as a gift to HRH the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle. These naturally multi-colored Fiji pearls are produced by the Pinctada Margaritifera-Typica oyster, a subspecies of the black-lipped Tahitian oyster. The 37 high-grade Fiji cultured pearls are approximately 10.5 – 11.75 mm and range in color from rare green and blue hues to gold and black. The strand is set with an 18K gold clasp.
Eco-conscious Fiji cultured pearls are ethically produced in small pearls farms in cooperation with local villages to maintain the beauty of the pristine waters of the Savusavu Bay and to generate income for the local villagers who participate in the caretaking of the oysters.
Christina Assael, Chairman of Assael, recognized the royal treasure of Fiji pearls when she first encountered them two years ago. “The water is different in the Savusavu Bay, and the oyster shells are more vivid, with a rainbow display of pearls that is intoxicating.” Her esteemed partnership with Justin Hunter assures that the very limited supply of J Hunter Fiji Pearls is available exclusively through Assael in North America. Plans are underway to produce a limited number of similar Sussex-style strands at Assael.
The Sussex Strand commemorates the Duchess’s October 2018 visit to Fiji.