Learn About Tahitian Pearl
Tahitian pearls come from Tahiti? False! These pearls are actually grown in French Polynesia.
Tahitian Pearl
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
-
Gemini , Cancer
- Hope, Healing, Positivity.
- June Birthstone
Round
Overview
Pinctada margaritifera, commonly known as the black-lipped pearl oyster, is responsible for the creation of the extremely beautiful and rare Tahitian pearl. This particular type of oyster belongs to the Pteriidae family of marine bivalve mollusks. A Pinctada margaritifera begins its life cycle as a free-swimming plankton that eventually begins to develop a shell.
It takes a minimum of two years for the black-lipped pearl oyster to become fit enough to enter the complex yet fascinating cycle of pearl production. Once it is established that they are large, strong and healthy, they are moved to the implantation stage, which eventually leads to the birth of an exotic Tahitian pearl.
1. Key Origin
- The low-lying coral atolls of the Tuamotu and Gambier Archipelago, specifically, are responsible for most of the Tahitian pearl production.
2. Nucleation
- After the grafting is done successfully, the oysters are returned to the shallow and clear water of the lagoons.
- Within this safe and secure home created for them, the black-lipped oysters are nurtured and left to grow for about a year and a half.
- At the most precise time, the oysters are carefully brought back to the surface and their fully developed Tahitian pearls are gently extracted.
Know About Other Gems
Tahitian Pearl
“Tahitian pearls come from Tahiti? False! These pearls are actually grown in French Polynesia.”
- Black
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Hope, Healing, Positivity
- June
- Round
Know About Other Gems
South Sea Pearl
Among all the cultured pearls in the world, White South Sea pearls are the rarest and most valuable.
- White, Golden,
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
Freshwater Pearl
A single freshwater pearl mussel can produce up to 50 pearls at a time! Now, isn't that something?
- White
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
Golden South Sea Pearl
The value of a Golden South Sea pearl depends on its color. The deeper the golden hue, the higher the pearl's value.
- Golden
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
Akoya Pearl
Akoya pearl oysters only produce around two pearls per harvest. This makes them a lot rarer than Freshwater pearls.
- White
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
Quality & Grading
Unlike other mined gemstones, the pearl is an organic jewel created by a living creature. For this reason, the grading parameters used to assess its quality will be slightly different. But there are six important aspects that you should always keep in mind when looking for a good quality Tahitian pearl.
Luster
Surface
Color
Shape
Nacre Thickness
Size
Currently, there is no universally accepted method for evaluation of pearl quality. The below-mentioned features, however, will help you distinguish an heirloom-grade Tahitian pearl from the rest.
| Gem Quality | Luster | Surface | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Ultra High | Very minor blemishes with almost clean surface | Ultra High | Top 1% |
Tahitian Pearl Solitaire Pendant with Diamond$1809 |
| Best (AAA) |  Very High | Minor blemishes with most of the surface clean | Very High | Top 10% |
Tahitian Pearl Spiral Pendant with Diamonds$959 |
| Better (AA) |  Medium | Medium blemishes with moderate imperfections on the surface | Medium | Top 33% |
Tahitian Pearl Wishbone Pendant with Diamond$299 |
Treatment
It is important to understand that many types of ‘black pearls’ are available in the market. These can be Freshwater or Akoya pearls that may have undergone either dye treatment or radiation to achieve an artificial black color. But Tahitian pearls are the only pearls that naturally occur in various shades of dark colors, predominantly black. Different overtones, such as green, pink, blue and silver, is what makes Tahitian pearls a remarkable treasure. The fact that they do not require absolutely any treatments makes them even more valuable.
Why Choose
01 How valuable is a Tahitian Pearl today?
As mentioned earlier, Tahitian pearls are created by the black-lipped Pinctada margaratifera, which is one of the largest pearl-producing oysters in the world.
The culturing process results in one-of-a-kind pearls that have a natural black color and are typically very big in size (9mm - 16mm). A dramatic hue, along with the complexity involved in Tahitian pearl creation has made this gem one of the most sought-after and expensive pearls across the globe.
02 What makes Tahitian Pearls a must-have?
- Exotic Hue: The mere mention of pearls usually makes you think about a strand of beautiful white beads strung together. Tahitian pearls break this quintessential image with a color range (a combination of overtones and undertones) that can be safely described as bold and dramatic. It is just one of the many reasons that make Tahitian pearls a truly exotic possession.
- A Complex Creation: The Pinctada margaritifera (black-lipped oyster) is found exclusively in the French Polynesian islands; in fact, Tahitian pearls are its largest export. It is of general consensus that the quality of pearls achieved from Pinctada margaritifera are of the highest quality out of all the pearls cultured today.
Style & Care Tips
01 The Right Way to flaunt Tahitian Pearls
If you’re in the mood to wear exotic Tahitian pearls at work then we’ll recommend you to either opt for a pair of pretty studs or drop earrings. Alternately, you can also go for a pendant as well; this will especially look great with a pantsuit.
For a formal event, you can accessorize your black dress with an elegant strand of Tahitian pearls. But if you’re looking for an eye-catching piece then go for a strand which features baroque pearls. A contrast to the traditional perfect-round pearls, they are irregular and non-spherical in shape, which is exactly what makes them unique and special.
Care Instructions
Tahitian pearls are delicate treasures and need to be treated with love and care. Keep the following simple tips in mind to ensure they look brand new for years to come.
FAQs
1. What makes Tahitian pearls popular?
Tahitian cultured pearls have a naturally dark hue, unlike freshwater pearls that get their dark colors only after they are dyed or subjected to different treatments. This makes Tahitian pearls a sought after and popular choice.
2. How did Tahitian pearls get their name?
Contrary to popular belief, Tahitian pearls don't come from Tahiti. Most of the pearl production takes place in the Tuamotu and Gambier archipelagos, after which the pearls are sent to Tahiti for exporting. Tahiti is the commercial hub for most pearl farms across French Polynesia, lending this pearl variety its name.
3. How long does it take to grow a Tahitian pearl?
Right from grafting to harvesting, Tahitian cultured pearls take two to three years to form. They come from the black-lipped Pinctada margaritifera oyster.
4. Are Tahitian pearls durable?
Tahitian pearls are delicate and prone to abrasions and scratches. They need to be handled gently and require proper care and maintenance.
5. What do Tahitian pearls symbolize?
Tahitian pearls symbolize hope and positivity. Owing to their dark hue and enigmatic aura, they are often closely associated with mystery, wisdom and strength.
6. How to tell if Tahitian pearls are real or fake?
A genuine Tahitian cultured pearl will have minor blemishes or imperfections, whereas the fake ones will look perfect and uniform. Plus, real pearls are heavier than most imitation or fake pearls, so checking their weight is a good way to tell if a Tahitian cultured pearl is genuine.
