The first time an oyster is placed inside a protective culture cage, it will be in a structure known as a "Pearl Net". These are small, pyramid shaped mesh cages. These need to have a small mesh size: in order to keep the tiny oysters inside and keep the predators outside. Studies have shown that out of every million pearl oysters born, only from one to ten will survive to adulthood. But, thanks to the protection of the aquaculture cages, some 80 % of the oysters collected will reach adulthood and will breed successfully several times in their lifetime of over 4 years.

The baby oysters will start growing very fast, feeding from the nutrient rich waters of Bacochibampo bay. Pearl Oysters are "filter feeders", meaning that they use their gills to trap minute organic particles suspended in seawater: bacteria, microscopic algae, At the end of a six to eight month period, the oysters will be considered "juveniles" and will be ready to be transferred to the next type of culture cage: the "Lantern Net".

Lantern nets are cylindrical in shape, with five layers, and have a wider mesh size. This is done to improve the water flow within the cage, thus allowing the oysters to feed properly. Thanks to this scheme the oysters can grow faster and healthier. The process is repeated sever times during an oyster's lifetime. A juvenile pearl oyster will measure some 4 to 5 cm (about 2 inches) and will be kept inside this net until they have become young adults (at an age of twelve to eighteen months) finally attaining a size of 8 to 10 cm (5 inches). The oysters have grown to the minimum size needed to start growing a cultured pearl. The "pearl seeding" operation can now commence.

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