Australian South Sea Pearls are revered the world over for their size and lustre. The nutrient-rich waters and large tidal movements combine to provide the perfect environment for the production of fine quality pearls.
In Broome, the pearling history dates back to the late 1800s when pearling masters first arrived in the town to fish for the shell. More recently, in the 1950s, cultured pearling commenced in Kuri Bay.
One of the first people to sell pearls from the township was marine biologist Bill Reid, the principal director of Linney’s. In the 1970s he set up a stall in a shed on the dusty strip of Dampier Terrace with a cardboard sign reading “pearls for sale”. In fact, the story suggests he sold his first pearl from a pie bag he’d bought from the bakery because he forgot to order proper bags. Things have come a long way since then with the Linney’s store now in the centre of this same strip, known today as “Pearlers Row”. For more, call Linney’s in Broome on (08) 9192 2430 or visit linneys.com.au.
Next door to Linneys is Kailis Australian Pearls. The Kailis family’s maritime history can be traced back to Greece, where Captain Michael Kailis was a merchant seaman. Many years later, and on the other side of the world, Captain Michael’s grandson, the young Michael George Kailis, set up a lobster business with the proceeds from the sale of his wife’s car.
The family company entered the pearling industry in 1974 through its subsidiary Broome Pearls Pty Ltd and in little over a decade became a major player in the pearling industry. It is now the world’s second largest producer of cultured Australian South Sea pearls. Contact Kailis on (08) 9192 2061 or visit kailisaustralianpearls.com.
Willie Creek Pearls has perhaps the country’s most remote showroom, 38km from Broome, via a predominantly dusty and bumpy track, at the company’s small pearling operation on Willie Creek. But if an outback drive doesn’t appeal they also have two showrooms in Broome, one on Dampier Terrace and the other at the Old Zoo Complex at Cable Beach.
Established by the Banfield family, who were first lured to Broome in 1989 by friend Lord Alistair McAlpine, Willie Creek Pearls has grown into a business that incorporates daily tours to the pearl farm and perhaps one of the most extensive collections of pearl jewellery in the state. Willie Creek Pearls, (08) 9193 6000. williecreekpearls.com.au
Australia’s biggest player is undoubtedly Paspaley Pearls whose showroom dominates the main intersection in the centre of town. From Greek origins, the Paspaley family first came to Australia in 1919, fleeing the island of Castellorizo during WWI. Their migration bought them to the west coast and they departed their ship at the first port of call, Cossack, the town where pearling first began in WA.

Nicholas Paspaley was six years old when he arrived and after growing up in the pearling town it seemed a natural progression that he would be at the helm of a lugger, diving for shell, at aged 18. This was the beginning of an adventure that would last a lifetime and would extend beyond his through to his own children. His son, also Nicholas, is today the executive chairman of the company. Call Paspaley Pearls in Broome on (08) 9192 2203 or visit paspaleypearls.com.
Camdon’s Fine Jewellery was inspired by the birth of owner Gary Clarke’s son. A lifestyle choice saw Gary move away from his career in human services and return to the tools, except this time not as a toolmaker, but as a jeweller. His store has been operating for eight years and you’ll note the reference to “Gary Clarke and Friends” on the shop front which is a dedication to those that have helped him in the industry. Camdon’s Fine Jewellery can be contacted on (08) 9192 7300.

In the main street of Chinatown is Anastasia’s, now believed to be in its 19th year of operation. Owners Laurene and Darryl Young have owned the store for three years and they say that the store’s history stems back to the days when Broome was barely known. In its third location within the town, the store is said to be named after Anastasia – the wife of Lighthouse Keeper and Broome pioneering personality Pat Percy, who built a stone pool in the rock formations at Gantheaume Point so Anastasia could seek relief from her crippling arthritis.

Other pearl showrooms:
Pearls by Lyndal Galwey
Call: (08) 9192 2414
Visit: pearlsbylyndalgalwey.com.au.

Jewels of the Kimberley
Call: (08) Tel 9192 8207

WHAT’S HOT
•    Georgia Morgan Designs has opened a new shop at the Rendevous Sanctuary Resort. Housing contemporary pearling designs Georgia’s work won the Computer Aided Design Category at the 2006 JAA Australian Jewellery Design Awards. Call (08) 9192 3088.
•    Inside Information! A new store due to open in doors in Dampier Terrace in December is Pearl Girl. Aimed at the younger market it will feature a range of pearl jewellery exclusively aimed at the teenage to 25-year-old market.
•    Photographer Yani Sotiroski has opened his first gallery at Shop 5 Johnny Chi Lane. His fresh new gallery features large format landscapes on canvas or traditional print. Check out the aerial picture of the Broome Peninsula – now that’s hot! Call (08) 9192 2442.
•    Matso’s Broome Brewery has just released its own red and white wine labelled Kimberley Cure All. The elixirs claims to cure everything from sandfly bites to homesickness and even the oncoming attack of a Kimberley Crocodile! Call 9193 5811.