The History Behind Tahitian Black Pearls Used In Jewelry

Cultured from the black-lipped oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, black Tahitian pearls are a semi-tropical oyster. They are derived from the lagoon of French Polynesia and the deep recesses of the Japanese Ocean. Expert pearl farmers carefully produce these cultured pearls. It takes about three years for a pearl to form in a seeded oyster. Tahitian pearls are sold at auctions twice a year, with almost 60,000 pearls in 180 lots exchanging hands, costing about $7 million. Some private producers sell their pearls via independent dealers.

The father of cultured black pearl farming is a Frenchman, Jean-Marie Dormand, who undertook the research of pearl cultivation in 1961. His first experiments began in the lagoons of Hikueru and Bora Bora. The first harvest in 1965 successfully produced 1,000 cultivated black pearls. The first export of these sought-after pearls began in 1972, with some Tahitian pearl farms shipping $152 million worth of black pearls.

Due to their large sizes (from eight millimeters to twenty millimeters) and their rarity, black pearl jewelry comes with a hefty price tag. Black pearls are often not really black, but rather they range from a medium to very dark gray. Some luster black pearls appear metallic, although a different luster than one would expect from white pearls. The clearer the reflection of black pearl jewelry, the more luster it has. Black pearl jewelry that is solid in color and without any overtones will not amount to half of those black pearls containing overtones. Additionally, the rounder the pearl, the more expensive it is priced on the market.

Here are a few tips that can assist you in deciphering whether the black pearl jewelry you are eyeing is worth paying the price:

-Real Tahitian pearls have overtones or hues of green, gray, blue, peacock, eggplant, or magenta.

-Real Tahitian pearls are cold to the touch and quickly adopt your body temperature.

-Real Tahitian pearls are gritty when rubbed across your teeth.

-Real Tahitian pearls have smooth edges around the drilled holes.

-Real Tahitian pearls are heavy to hold.

-Real Tahitian pearls are known for their large size, which is larger than the usual pearl.

-Real Tahitian pearls come from the South Seas, most of which are from Tahiti.

In conclusion, black pearl jewelry is a great investment. When buying your black pearl jewelry, avoid purchasing pearls with blemishes. These pearls are amazing on a woman, either professionally or casually. Expert pearl makers know a great way to capitalize on the variety of the Tahitian black pearls and their various overtones. The darker the Tahitian black pearl, the more valuable it is in the pearl industry. You should also consider buying black pearl jewelry at a specialized outlet rather than a souvenir shop, and definitely avoid purchasing from someone on the street. Reputable dealers supply you with an invoice and certificate of authenticity for your pearls. You can also request that the dealer make a fresh x-ray light in front of you, ensuring the quality of your pearl jewelry.