Tahitian Pearls
The Pearls of Tahiti are commonly known as "Black Pearls". Ninety-five percent of the world's black pearls come from the lagoons of French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Black pearls are named after the oyster from which they are derived, the Pinctada Margaritifera, the black-lipped oyster, found in the crystal clear waters of the Tuamotus islands in French Polynesia.
It is natural to assume all black pearls to be black. In fact the colours can include black, champagne grey, peacock green, eggplant, bronze, cream, pink and gold. Value is determined by size, lustre and surface quality rather than colour, though the colours peacock green and eggplant are much appreciated by pearl connoisseurs. |
