WatchesJun 09, 2021
Rolex Releases BBC Studios-Produced Documentary SourcingJun 10, 2021
Pearl Pioneer Salvador Assael Is ‘Revealed’ in New Short Film
The mini documentary dives into the life and legacy of the man who created the market for Tahitian pearls.
New York—Pearl seller and fine jewelry brand Assael is giving the public a peek behind the curtain.
The 75-year-old company, which sources fine pearls and coral and sets it in high-end designs, has debuted a new documentary-style short film called “Assael Revealed— The Legendary Legacy of Pearl Pioneer Salvador J. Assael.”
Produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Dean Love and his company, Dean Love Films, the mini documentary explores the legacy of the late Salvador Assael, whom The New York Times dubbed “a titan of the cultured pearl business.”
The film dives into his love affair with fine pearls and the impact of his leadership in the sector. It also reveals the history of the brand through interviews with his wife, including significant milestones and Assael’s vital role in the creation of the Tahitian pearl market.
“My late husband was a legend in the pearl world,” Assael President and CEO Christina Lang Assael said.
“He was the first to bring South Sea Pearls to North America, and he literally started the global Tahitian pearl industry. This long overdue film tells the true story of him as a swashbuckling adventurer with incredible business savvy and an absolute genius for marketing. I am honored to now share his legacy with fellow pearl connoisseurs.”
The larger-than-life man went to “the ends of the Earth” to source pearls, she says in the documentary.
Related stories will be right here …
The 75-year-old company, which sources fine pearls and coral and sets it in high-end designs, has debuted a new documentary-style short film called “Assael Revealed— The Legendary Legacy of Pearl Pioneer Salvador J. Assael.”
Produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Dean Love and his company, Dean Love Films, the mini documentary explores the legacy of the late Salvador Assael, whom The New York Times dubbed “a titan of the cultured pearl business.”
The film dives into his love affair with fine pearls and the impact of his leadership in the sector. It also reveals the history of the brand through interviews with his wife, including significant milestones and Assael’s vital role in the creation of the Tahitian pearl market.
“My late husband was a legend in the pearl world,” Assael President and CEO Christina Lang Assael said.
“He was the first to bring South Sea Pearls to North America, and he literally started the global Tahitian pearl industry. This long overdue film tells the true story of him as a swashbuckling adventurer with incredible business savvy and an absolute genius for marketing. I am honored to now share his legacy with fellow pearl connoisseurs.”
The larger-than-life man went to “the ends of the Earth” to source pearls, she says in the documentary.
Assael put South Sea pearls on the map after he was “bowled over” by their beauty and size but was almost single-handedly responsible for the creation of the Tahitian pearl market after being introduced to them in the 1970s.
“He was such a genius. He recognized the value of a natural black pearl. So what did Salvador do? He decided to start cultivating,” she says.
He bought an island, built a landing strip and “created a little world.”
After he had amassed enough black pearls to create the first full Tahitian pearl strand necklace, the story goes that he took it to his friend, Harry Winston, challenging him to sell it.
Winston accepted the challenge, putting the stone in the center of his most important window on Fifth Avenue.
It sold within a week, according to the documentary.
The short film also features appearances by Stellene Volandes, editor-in-chief of Town & Country; award-winning jewelry historian and author Vivienne Becker; and Peggy Grosz, senior vice president of Assael, whom Assael attributes with adding colored gemstones to the brand’s jewels.
Watch the full film above or on YouTube.
“He was such a genius. He recognized the value of a natural black pearl. So what did Salvador do? He decided to start cultivating,” she says.
He bought an island, built a landing strip and “created a little world.”
After he had amassed enough black pearls to create the first full Tahitian pearl strand necklace, the story goes that he took it to his friend, Harry Winston, challenging him to sell it.
Winston accepted the challenge, putting the stone in the center of his most important window on Fifth Avenue.
It sold within a week, according to the documentary.
The short film also features appearances by Stellene Volandes, editor-in-chief of Town & Country; award-winning jewelry historian and author Vivienne Becker; and Peggy Grosz, senior vice president of Assael, whom Assael attributes with adding colored gemstones to the brand’s jewels.
Watch the full film above or on YouTube.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
