Tag: French Polynesia

A pearl is basically derived from a shelled mollusk. It is made up of calcium carbonate and is usually hard and spherical in shape. Because of their beauty and rarity, people have developed a sort of craziness for pearls, especially women. And probably that’s why Pearl farming has emerged as one of the largest commercial industry in the past few decades. It is the process whereby cultured pearls are grown on farms. Many oysters are then nucleated and reared for around two to five years, to develop into a pearl. But the farm needs utmost care throughout the process since it can be easily destroyed by both controllable and uncontrollable factors.

Tahitian pearl farms have been very popular in the past and still their popularity is touching new heights every single day. Interestingly, despite the name Tahitian Pearls, they are not a product of Tahiti Island and Tahiti doesn’t posses any pearl farms at all. Most of them are located in French Polynesia. A Tahitian pearl is a combination of black and green color. These pearls are produced in black lipped oyster naming -Pinctada margaritifera-. These pearls are not completely black but are also available in many other colors like: – green, silver and charcoal. Proper black color pearls are extremely beautiful and rare to find.

Indeed, these pearls are an eye candy but have we ever thought what it cost to get the delight of these pearls. Many pearl farmers are using inappropriate methods for pearl cultivation which is damaging our ecosystem. We should not forget that in our need and greed, that we are also disturbing the nature and exploiting the resources. Sustainable pearl farming methods of aquaculture should be adopted by the farmers so that our fragile ecosystem is not disturbed. We must respect the nature and always use most sustainable farming methods. Moreover, today the customers also value the products more which are nurtured in a respectful and sustainable manner.

The farmers can also opt for ecological pearl farming methods to avoid the wastage of natural resources. Ecological farming ensures healthy food and farming solutions, for today and tomorrow. It basically promotes the idea of protecting biodiversity, soil, water and climate and not using chemical based fertilizers and pesticides. Adopting ecological farming methods reduces the risk of soil erosion.

Commonly known around the world as black pearls, the pearls of Tahiti are indigenous to the remote lagoons of French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Today, the Tahitian pearl has become an exotic gem sought after by celebrities and pearl aficionados alike.

Some people use the term black pearl to refer to any dark colored pearl, dyed or natural color. In this part of natural back pearl, we will discuss Tahitian pearl as it is a distinguished type of real natural black pearls. Traditionally we identify Tahitian black pearl by the attribute of them. For example we identify them by the shape, color, Luster and Nacre.

1. size
Tahitian pearl can grow to 9mm to 22mm of diameter. Size has great impact of price. In Pearl buying Guide, Renee, Newman state the price jump of 1 mm increasing in the size of medium-quality pearls can raise their price 100 – 200%.

2. shape
The prices of Tahitian pearls go from high to low as below: round, off-round, drop, button, circle.

3. Color
Tahitian pearls aren’t all black. In fact, they are much colorful than you think. They can be gray, green, blue, lavender, brown, black and with iridescence, they look like peacock leather. To simulate the unique precious Tahitian pearl, there are many dyed or treated black pearls appear on the market. Identify the real or treated one with our pearl Dyeing test to protect your benefit from unfaithful trade.

4. Surface Quality
Tahitian pearl are very precious. Every year, those perfect and high luster Tahitian pearls are sold in pearl auction. The surfaces imperfections make Tahitian pearl more affordable. When choosing a Tahitian pearl, you can consider pearls with some flaws or blemishes on a certain side. When they are made to jewelry, the blemishes can be perfectly covered with the post or mounting set.Tahiti cultured pearl farmers generally use four ratings for surface quality: A, B, C and D.

Top gem: Flawless pearl, excellent luster

Quality A: 90% flaw-free surface. On the remained 10%, the pearl may have some slight concentrated imperfections with one or two deep imperfections tolerated. At least a very high luster.

Quality B: 70% flaw-free surface. On the remaining 30%, the pearl may have some slight concentrated imperfections with one or two deep imperfections tolarated. At least a high luster.

Quality C: 40% flaw-free surface. On the remaining 60%, the pearl may have some slight concentrated imperfections with a 10% of deep imperfections tolerated. At least a medium luster.

Quality D: Pearl has either a large amount of slight flaws distributed over 60% of the surface, or several slight and deep flaws distributed over 60% of the surface at the most, regardless of the luster.