Tahitian pearls are lustrous black pearls cultivated primarily in the pristine lagoons of French Polynesia by the black-lipped oyster Pinctada margaritifera. Despite being called "black" pearls, these exotic gems display a remarkable spectrum of dark colors from charcoal and graphite to deep green, purple, and peacock overtones that shimmer across their surfaces. Tahitian pearls are among the largest naturally colored pearls in the world, prized for their exceptional luster, rarity, and the unique way they reflect light to reveal hidden rainbow-like overtones.
Specifications:
- Color range: Charcoal, graphite, silver, dark green, aubergine, peacock (green-purple), and bronze with natural overtones
- Sizes: Typically 8mm to 16mm diameter; exceptional specimens can reach 18mm or larger
- Shapes: Round, near-round, oval, button, drop, baroque (irregular), and circled varieties
- Origin: Primarily French Polynesia (Tahiti and surrounding islands), with some cultivation in Cook Islands and Fiji
- Luster: Exceptional high luster with mirror-like reflective quality when top grade
- Surface quality: Ranges from clean (highest grade) to lightly spotted; natural pearls may show growth characteristics
- Nacre thickness: Minimum 0.8mm required for quality; best specimens have 1.5mm+ for durability and luster
- Rarity: Naturally rare due to specific oyster species and limited cultivation areas
