Tahitian Pearls

TAHITIAN PEARLS

Tahitian Pearls are unique because of their natural and exotic dark color.

Parented by the rare black-lipped oyster, Pinctada Margaritifera, Tahitian Pearls are cultured mainly in the atoll lagoons of French Polynesia.

Even before pearl cultivation was discovered, Tahitian Pearls had gained a reputation for value and rarity. Over 15,000 shells would be opened before finding a single natural pearl. The pearl's reputation was further enhanced by it's use in the jewelry of the world’s royalty and nobility. Thus, the Tahitian Pearl became known as the ‘Pearl of Queens or Queen of Pearls.’

Legend has it that the Tahitian Pearl oyster, Te Ufi, was offered to man by Oro – God of Peace and Fertility – who came down to Earth on a rainbow. Oro offered the pearl from the oyster to the princess of Bora Bora as a sign of his eternal love.

One of the most unique aspects of this oyster is the natural dark colors of its pearls. Most 'black' Tahitian Pearls are not actually black, but instead range from silver or charcoal, to midnight black, pewter, and even a pale silvery-gray. These pearls can have overtones of green, blue, violet, silver-rose and copper. Typically, all of these pearls come with some degree of a green hue. Truly black Tahitian Pearls are among the most beautiful pearls in the world, and are extremely rare.

While some Tahitian Pearls are round and symmetrical, many are 'circled' with distinctive nacre ridging. They exhibit a great number of shapes, usually divided in six categories: round/semi-round, oval/button, drop, circled, semi-baroque and baroque. While round pearls have long been buyers' favorites, other categories have recently attracted designers who draw their inspiration from the pearls' varied natural shapes.

Tahitian Pearls generally range in size from 8-14 millimeters. Very rarely, some may exceed 18 millimeters in size and are considered extremely rare treasures. The largest Tahitian Pearl ever found was 25 millimeters in diameter. These large pearls occur because the black-lipped oyster can grow to be as large as 14 feet across and 10 pounds in weight.