Pearl harvesting has a long history in many tropical waters and pearls have been recognized as jewellery and valued in both the Orient and Western world from earliest times.

There are more than 70 species of oysters that can produce pearls, but it is only the black-lipped oyster called Pinctada margaritifera that produces black pearls. The oyster is chiefly found around tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean, but also in other parts of the world like Seychelles.

In order to grow a cultured pearl you need a nucleus or a seed made of high grade mother-of-pearl from a Misissippi mussel to be inserted in the body of the oyster. At the same time, a fragment of epithelium from a donor oyster must be placed in contact with the nucleus. The epithelium spreads around the nucleus and forms a "pearl sack". This pearl sack made of epithelium tissue, will secrete nacre, depositing it in concentric layers around the nucleus to produce a pearl. The grafting operation is done by technicians who locate the gonad inside the oyster and create a tiny cavity where the nucleus and the epithelial graft is placed using special instruments. Grafting is real surgery and requires manual skill, good judgment and knowledge of oyster anatomy.  

The pearl farm is located under water in the coastal area of Praslin using a long-line system.