Tahitian Black Pearls are fairly new to the realm of pearls. Tahitian Pearls hit the market in the 1970's, with a splash. They are unlike any other pearl. Their originality can have a dramatic effect on people. Most people are used to seeing the Akoya Pearl; relatively smaller than the Tahitian Pearl, and generally whiter. Tahitian Pearls are almost the complete opposite of Akoya Pearl. The pearls are larger and much more colorful. Tahitian pearls are the only naturally colored “black” pearl. All the others are “enhanced”.

Maybe the reason that Tahitian Black Pearls have this effect on people is their association with tropical beaches warm tropical nights and aqua blue water.

The Tahitian Pearls were originally marketed as “Black Pearls” or Tahitian Black Pearls; but, they are not black as akoya pearls are not white. However since this is the way that Tahitian Pearl Jewelry was originally introduced to the public; the name of Black Pearls has stayed. As you will see the Tahitian Black Pearl is not just black. They come in a range of colors greens, blues, grays and reddish browns.

The Tahitian “black” pearl comes from the black lipped oyster. Its Latin Name is Pinctada margaritifera cumingi. The inside or “mother of pearl” of this oyster are black. This species of mollusk is found from the Asia to California. A large oyster, it can grow to 8 inches; it is a long lived mollusk, reaching 30 years. The Tahitian Cultured Pearl is grown in French Polynesia. Tahiti is a part of French Polynesia.

With Tahitian Pearl Jewelry, one of the things we notice first is their high value. Tahitian Pearls have a much higher value than most other pearls. This is because of several reasons. Foremost is the cost of producing these beauties. They are grown in very remote area, and there are far fewer of them produced. Typically a Tahitian Pearl Necklace is approximately 10 to 15 times as expensive as a comparable Akoya Pearl Necklace.

The Tahitian Black Pearl is large. Most common are in the 8mm to 14mm. So the smallest Tahitian Pearl is as big as the biggest Akoya. Believe it or not the largest recorded Tahitian Pearl is just shy of 27mm, that's over 1 inch in diameter.

Color, color, color. The highest valued color is a dark green gray, with rose' overtones, called Peacock. You almost enter a food market when you talk about Tahitian Pearls. We have Auvergne, which is French for eggplant, a dark purple, and pistachio used to describe a yellowish green.

About the Author

Patrick Cavanaugh, father, writer, artist, business owner and Lover of Pearls. Please visit us at www.sunshinepearls.com.