Who Owns The Pearl Source?
The Pearl Source is owned by Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc., a private family company in Los Angeles, California. Brothers Leon and Sammy Rbibo converted their family's pearl wholesale business into a direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand, incorporated in 1999. Ben Rbibo serves as CEO.
Parent Company
Founded
1999
Status
Private
Headquarters
Who Owns The Pearl Source?
- Parent Company: Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Pearl Source | Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc. | Brand division |
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History of The Pearl Source
- Founded: 1999
- Founders: Leon Rbibo, Sammy Rbibo
The Rbibo family's pearl business predates the brand. The family had been in pearl importing and wholesale for decades, supplying traditional retail channels. In February 1999 the operating company was incorporated as Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc.
The decisive move came about 15 years ago, when brothers Leon and Sammy Rbibo shifted the wholesale business into a direct-to-consumer model under The Pearl Source name. Cutting out retail intermediaries let them sell equivalent pearls at steep discounts to jewelry-store prices, the foundation of the company's 70 percent off retail positioning.
The product strategy stayed narrow: only pearls. The catalog covers Freshwater, Akoya including certified Hanadama grades, Tahitian, and White and Golden South Sea pearls, from $99 stud earrings to necklaces approaching $100,000. All pieces are assembled and finished in the company's Los Angeles workshop under head of quality control Sunny Bout and a team of about eight artisans.
The company built social proof steadily, accumulating more than 17,000 Trustpilot reviews and reporting over 250,000 customers served across 25-plus years in business. In 2025 it announced a partnership with David's Bridal, extending its reach into the bridal jewelry segment. Marketing placements have included features in outlets such as Brides and Allure.
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About Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc.
What does Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc. own?
The company owns The Pearl Source brand, its pearl import supply relationships, and its Los Angeles jewelry workshop. It operates no other consumer brands and has no subsidiary companies.
Is Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc. publicly traded?
No. The company is a private family-owned California corporation with no shares listed on any exchange and no disclosed outside investors.
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Who founded Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc.?
The Rbibo family founded the business; the current corporation was formed in 1999. Leon Rbibo and his brother Sammy converted the family wholesale operation into the direct-to-consumer Pearl Source brand.
Where is Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc. headquartered?
The company is headquartered at 600 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, United States. The same facility houses its jewelry workshop.
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How many brands does Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc. own?
One. The Pearl Source is the company's only consumer brand, covering its full catalog of Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearl jewelry.
Who owns Tahitian South Sea Pearls, Inc.?
The Rbibo family owns the company. Leon Rbibo is founder and owner, Samuel Rbibo is president, and Ben Rbibo serves as CEO. There are no outside shareholders.
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How many customers has the company served?
The company reports more than 250,000 customers served over more than 25 years in business, with a Trustpilot review base approaching 18,000 entries as of late 2026.
- Founded: 1999
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is The Pearl Source Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
The Pearl Source Categories & Tags
The Pearl Source Sustainability & Ethics
No independent sustainability certifications apply to the brand as of November 2026. Pearl farming is generally considered lower-impact than mined gemstones because cultured pearls require living mollusks in healthy water, but no third-party certification of The Pearl Source's supply chain was found in public databases.
The company's ethical posture rests on direct sourcing relationships built over the family's decades in the trade, and on US-based manufacturing that keeps labor practices under California law. There is no B Corp, Fair Trade, or Responsible Jewellery Council certification on record.
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The Pearl Source Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Family ownership preserves generational sourcing expertise and relationships.
- +Vertical integration from import to finished jewelry controls quality and margin.
- +Deep review history and customer base provide strong social proof.
- +Single-category focus builds authority no generalist jeweler matches.
Considerations
- -Single-category dependence on pearl demand limits diversification.
- -Direct sourcing requires ongoing access to South Pacific and Asian farms.
- -Family-controlled governance limits outside capital and oversight.
- -Competitive pressure from lab-grown and alternative gem categories.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Pearl Source
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to The Pearl Source
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because The Pearl Sourceoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
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