Commonly known as a Tahitian Black Pearl, this exotic pearl is produced by a special variety of the Black Lipped Oyster (Pinctada Margaritifera). Tahitian pearls are the only pearls in the world that are naturally black. Second only to the South Sea Pearl, Tahitian black pearls are regarded as the most valuable pearl for jewelry in the world.
Tahitian Pearls are not simply "black" as they are commonly called, but are rather more accurately represented by a rainbow of colors including shades of gray, silver, charcoal, and green just to name a few. Although often referred to as black, cultured Tahitian pearls have a color range that covers the spectrum combining black, gray, blue, green, and brown. Along with these body colors, Tahitian pearls are naturally enhanced by overtone colors including blue, gold, silver, pink, and reddish purple. Furthermore, different names are given to a combination of overtone and body colors. Green/black colors, called "peacock", along with green/gray overtones called "pistachio", are the most popular and valuable because of their rarity. Because of their wide color range, it becomes a challenge to collect enough pearls (usually in the thousands) that match in size, shape, and color to create a single Tahitian pearl necklace.
Tahitian black pearls are among the largest of pearls; the most common sizes are between 8mm – 15mm, although rare pearls up to 21mm have been found. The black lipped saltwater oysters can grow as large as 12 inches in diameter and produce Tahitian pearls typically ranging in sizes from 8 to 18mm.
Cultured Tahitian black pearls are indigenous to the lagoons of French Polynesia in the South Seas. Contrary to popular belief, Tahitian pearls are not cultivated in Tahiti, but rather throughout the waters of French Polynesia as far east as the Gambier Islands and west into the Micronesian Islands. As French Polynesia’s most well known island, Tahiti remains the commercial center and trading hub for these rare and exotic black Tahitian pearls. Tahiti is the leading supplier of these black pearls along with The Cook Islands and other islands of French Polynesia. With the skillful efforts of Japanese cultivation experts, the first Tahitian pearls were cultured in the 1960s.
Many stories and legends exist in Tahiti to explain how the iridescent and entrancing colors of the Tahitian black pearl came to be. The four basic shapes of Tahitian pearls include round, semi-baroque, baroque, and circled. As with other pearl types, rounder pearls exhibiting a high luster with fewer flaws command premium prices.
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Tahitian Pearl collection. Below are some of our featured items.
