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. The interesting thing about Tahitian Pearls however, is that they actually do not 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 oysters are very large, sometimes growing up to 12 inches wide and weighing 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 have an iridescent overtone that makes them a sought-after gem for jewlery settings. Because of its multitude of colors, this overtone is often called a "peacock" overtone.
The amazing pearl produced by the black-lipped oyster is not its only desirable qualilty. In the 1900’s these oysters were nearly hunted to extinction for their shells alone. 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. With these rare, black beauties you will find an accessory that will be a conversation piece for years to come. 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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- Lesser Known, But Beautiful Pearls
- All About Pearls
- Why Pearls are Different Colors
- Pearl Jewelry : Understand Pearls Before You Buy
- Advice When Buying Pearl Necklace Jewellery
- Rare Melo Pearls
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