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Some of the most beautiful pearls in the world come from the waters surrounding Tahiti and the French Polynesian Islands. On the market, they are called Tahitian Pearls and can range in size from 8mm to 18mm. A typical classic saltwater pearl is about 6mm in size. That means a Tahitian Pearl can be more than twice the size of their classic white counterparts! Their size, beautiful colors and luster are what makes them among the most sought after pearls in the world.

 

Tahitian Pearls are produced in the black-lipped oyster found exclusively in the Polynesian Island waters. One interesting things about Tahitian Pearls is that they don't actually come from Tahiti. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia but, most of the pearl farms are found in lagoons off the shores of the other islands. These are very large oysters that can grow up to 12 inches wide and weigh over 10 pounds. The huge size of the oyster results in the larger-than-average sized gems that Tahitian Pearls are known for.

Another legendary characteristic of Tahitian Pearls is their color. Most Tahitian Pearls are thought to be black in color but, they can come in a range of beautiful colors. In addition to black, these pearls can be brown, gray, green, blue, and purple. They also have a dazzling iridescent overtone making them a coveted gem for any jewelry setting. This overtone is often referred to as “peacock” because of its multitude of colors.

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The beautiful pearl that the black-lipped oyster produces isn’t its only desirable quality. These oysters were hunted nearly to extinction in the 1900's merely for their shells. Now, repopulation and conservation efforts have been put into place to prevent extinction and promote growth. This protection is needed because Black-lipped oysters usually do not start producing pearls until they are about 3 years old. Usually this gives them enough time to produce a sizeable pearl. The normal growth time until harvesting for a Tahitian Pearl is two years.

Very much like other saltwater pearls, Tahitian Pearls are bead nucleated. This means a bead is inserted into the oyster which is then covered in its nacre. Tahitian Pearls differ from other saltwater pearls in that their nacre is very thick despite its bead center. Thick nacre, high quality and beautiful color is what makes Tahitian Pearls so valuable.

After the pearls are harvested and distributed to the market, jewelers must grade the pearls. There is no universal grading system for pearls but there is a system widely accepted by reputable dealers. Tahitian Pearls are usually graded using the A-D system. In this system, an A pearl is flawless with a perfect luster and a D pearl has inclusions over 60% of its surface and a dull luster.

If you are looking for a beautiful and exotic piece of jewelry, the Tahitian Pearl is the perfect choice. By shopping these rare, black beauties you can find an accessory that is sure to be a constant conversation piece that lasts for years. The even better news is that because of mass farming and production, these rare pearls have become more readily available to the general public. Most anyone can find a piece of Tahitian Pearl jewelry that fits into their budget

 

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