Tahitian Pearls come from the warm waters of the South Seas and are grown in a Black-Lipped oyster. They are the only pearl to achieve a black body color naturally and are typically very large (9mm - 16mm). Tahitian pearls, although mostly dark, can come in a wide range of hues, including black, gray, silver, green, blue and purple.
Learn More: Tahitian Pearls 101 - Buying Guide
As little as 20 years ago a top quality Tahitian pearl necklace might have cost $100,000+. But today with improved production and greater access to remote islands, we're able to offer the same quality of strand for a much better price. What was once $100,000+ will only cost $3000-$5000 today. The same is true of Tahitian pearl earrings. Once worth $1000's, today a fine pair could be purchased for $300-$500.
Truth is Black Tahitian Pearls aren't actually a true black. The term is used to describe pearls with a dark body color, which could be gray, silver, green, blue or purple. That said, Tahitian pearls are the only naturally dark or black pearls.
Read more about pearl colors
Tahitian pearls are the only naturally dark pearls in the world, offering exotic beauty with naturally occurring colors from black to charcoal gray that require no treatment or enhancement, making them truly unique among all pearl types. Cultivated in the pristine lagoons of French Polynesia by the black-lipped Pinctada margaritifera oyster, these pearls display stunning peacock green, blue, purple, silver, and aubergine overtones that shimmer across their dark surfaces, creating mesmerizing iridescence and sophisticated elegance that stands apart from traditional white pearls as nature's most dramatic and mysterious organic gems for distinctive luxury jewelry.
Yes, Tahitian pearls are completely naturally colored and develop their beautiful dark hues from black to charcoal gray without any treatment, dyeing, or color enhancement whatsoever. The black-lipped Pinctada margaritifera oyster produces these naturally dark pearls through a cultivation process lasting 18-24 months in French Polynesian lagoons, with the pearl's colors influenced by the oyster's genetics, diet, and environment creating the exotic peacock, blue, purple, silver, and aubergine overtones that make Tahitian pearls the only true naturally dark pearls available and highly prized for their authentic, untreated organic beauty.
Tahitian pearls range from 8.0-15.0 mm, making them substantially larger than Akoya pearls and second only to South Sea pearls in size, with 9.0-11.0 mm being popular choices for elegant everyday wear that balances impressive presence with comfortable wearability. Larger 12.0-15.0 mm Tahitian pearls create extraordinary statement pieces for dramatic luxury and special occasions, with their substantial size perfectly showcasing the exotic naturally dark colors and mesmerizing peacock overtones that command attention while representing the impressive scale that makes Tahitian pearls so distinctive and valuable in fine jewelry collections.
View: Pearl Size Guide
Tahitian pearl jewelry typically ranges from $300-$15,000+ depending on pearl size, color intensity and desirability (peacock overtones being most prized), luster quality, surface perfection, jewelry style, and metal selection, representing investments in the world's only naturally dark pearls. Tahitian pearl earrings range $300-$4,000+, necklaces $800-$12,000+, bracelets $500-$8,000+, and complete jewelry sets $2,000-$15,000+, with the naturally exotic dark colors, substantial size, 18-24 month cultivation period, and rarity of pearls displaying intense peacock overtones justifying their premium value as investment-quality jewelry that represents nature's most dramatic organic gems.
Read More: How Much Do Pearls Cost?
Tahitian pearls display naturally dark body colors ranging from black to charcoal gray to silver-gray with stunning overtones including peacock green (the most prized and valuable), blue, purple, silver, and aubergine that shimmer across the pearl's surface creating mesmerizing iridescent beauty. Each Tahitian pearl's unique combination of body color and overtones makes it one-of-a-kind, with peacock overtones—displaying green and pink iridescence simultaneously—being the most coveted and commanding premium prices, while all color variations showcase the exotic naturally dark beauty that makes Tahitian pearls the only true black pearls in the world and nature's most dramatic organic gems.
Tahitian pearls are cultivated exclusively in the pristine lagoons of French Polynesia, particularly around the islands of Tahiti, the Tuamotu Archipelago, and the Gambier Islands, where the black-lipped Pinctada margaritifera oyster thrives in warm, mineral-rich tropical waters. Despite their name, Tahitian pearls actually come from various French Polynesian islands with Tahiti serving as the commercial hub, and the unique environmental conditions including water temperature, salinity, and plankton content in these specific South Pacific lagoons contribute to the development of the naturally dark colors and exotic overtones that make Tahitian pearls the world's only naturally dark pearls and among the most prestigious available.
Tahitian pearl jewelry comes in various styles including classic strand necklaces that showcase multiple exotic dark pearls for dramatic elegance, sophisticated stud and drop earrings that frame the face with naturally dark beauty, elegant bracelets perfect for wrist sophistication, stunning pendants that create bold focal points at the neckline, baroque Tahitian pearl pieces celebrating organic sculptural forms, and complete jewelry sets offering coordinated luxury. The naturally dark colors work beautifully with both white metals like sterling silver and 14K white gold for contemporary sophistication, and yellow gold creating warm contrast, with every style showcasing the substantial size and mesmerizing peacock overtones unique to these exotic French Polynesian pearls.
Yes, Tahitian pearl jewelry is excellent for everyday wear, offering sophisticated elegance that works particularly well with blacks, grays, neutrals, and monochromatic wardrobes for modern professional and casual style. Their naturally dark colors provide distinctive alternatives to traditional white pearls, coordinate beautifully with contemporary fashion, and add exotic elegance that elevates simple attire while remaining appropriate for any setting, making Tahitian pearls versatile luxury pieces that transition seamlessly from office to evening, casual to formal, with their substantial size and dramatic naturally dark beauty ensuring they make memorable statements while maintaining the inherent sophistication of fine pearls through everyday wear.
Care for Tahitian pearls by wiping them gently with a soft, damp cloth after wearing to remove oils, cosmetics, and perfume residue that can dull their naturally lustrous surfaces. Always put pearl jewelry on last after applying makeup, perfume, and hairspray, store them separately in soft pouches or fabric-lined jewelry boxes away from harder gemstones that could scratch their surfaces, and have necklaces and bracelets professionally restrung every 1-2 years if worn frequently to maintain security and proper drape, with proper care ensuring these naturally dark exotic pearls maintain their mesmerizing beauty and investment value for generations as treasured heirlooms showcasing nature's only true black pearls.
Learn More: Pearl Care Guide
Yes, Tahitian pearls are considered excellent investments as they are the world's only naturally dark pearls with strong consistent demand, limited supply from French Polynesian lagoons, and significant appreciation potential over time. Their completely natural colors without any treatment ensure lasting beauty and authenticity, the 18-24 month cultivation period limits production, and high-quality Tahitian pearls—particularly large specimens with intense peacock overtones—have historically maintained and increased their value substantially, making them premier investment-quality jewelry that serves as both wearable exotic luxury and appreciating assets representing nature's rarest naturally dark organic gems with distinctive beauty that never goes out of style.
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