There are several reasons for the different colors of pearls. The most important is the mollusk species along with the donor or mantle tissue that is inserted into the gonads of the cultured pearl sac. There is also the chemical condition and pigmentation of the water source where the pearls are grown.

In Fiji, the pearl oyster is the Pinctada magaritifera typica. This particular oyster secretes an unusually colorful nacre. When I visited Justin Hunter in 2018, he was in the process of creating a project called the Blue Economy Project. He has been committed to educating his community to the preservation and sustainability of his homeland waters on Savusavu, Fiji. Justin's pearls are the most colorful variety of pearls I have ever seen. The colors range from the warm hues of champagne, gold, copper, pistachio, cranberry, rose, taupe and chocolate. The cooler tones are the vibrant peacock greens and dark blue, violet, and silvery grey. These are all natural colors from the remarkable oyster of Fiji, the Pinctada margararitifera typica.