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The Wide World of Pearls, Our 125th Issue: Behind the Scenes of Tahitian Pearl Farming

 

Pearls of Joy Pearl Quote of the Week: "Pearls don’t lie on the seashore, if you want one, you must dive for it." -  Chinese Proverb

 

 

 

Eye Candy

 

Weekly Eye Candy Spotlight: Multi-Colored Tahitian Baroque Pearls

 

 

EVER SEEN A BLACK RAINBOW??

These colorful, yummy Tahitian Baroque pearls feature a rainbow of unique overtones ranging from rose to blue-green, aquamarine, silver, pistachio and dark midnight blue! 

 

 

 

You Asked ...

Every day we receive questions from customers all over the world about pearls. We decided to post our answers here for every one to read!

 

Behind the Scenes of Tahitian Pearl Farming

Tahitian Pearl Farming Kamoka Pearl Farm

Photo of the Kamoka Tahitian Pearl Farm

 

We Answer:

Black Tahitian pearls, known for their distinctive dark hues and radiant luster, are among the most coveted gemstones in the world. Unlike traditional white pearls, these pearls come in shades ranging from deep black to dark green, peacock, and even silvery grays.

Tahitian pearls are cultivated in the warm waters of the French Polynesian islands, specifically in the black-lipped oyster, Pinctada margaritifera. The process of farming these exquisite pearls involves careful nurturing of the oysters, environmental stewardship, and meticulous craftsmanship to produce pearls of the highest quality.

 

Tahitian Pearl History

Photos courtesy of Rutena in Takaroa blog

 

Tahitian Pearl Origins

The foundation of Black Tahitian pearl farming begins with selecting the appropriate oyster species. The Pinctada margaritifera, a large saltwater mollusk, is native to the tropical lagoons and atolls of French Polynesia. 

This species is unique because it produces the dark nacre required for the iconic black and greenish pearls. The oyster's natural environment plays a significant role in determining the color and quality of the pearls. Cultivators must ensure they farm in pristine waters, as the health of the oysters directly impacts the final product.

The early history of Tahitian pearl fishing dates back to Polynesian cultures, where pearls were seen as valuable treasures and symbols of wealth, power, and spirituality. Natural black pearls were extremely rare and difficult to harvest. 

Traditional pearl fishing methods were labor-intensive, as divers had to scour the ocean floor, often without modern diving equipment. The allure of Tahitian pearls attracted international attention, especially in the 19th century, as European explorers and traders began to take interest in these exotic gems. However, overfishing and the destruction of oyster beds threatened the sustainability of natural pearl harvesting.

 

Early Tahitian Pearl History Jean-Marie Domard

Photo of Jean-Marie Domard (left photo, center subject) with French Polynesian natives. Photo on right of an early Tahitian pearl shell fishing camp.

 

Pearl farming in Tahiti began in earnest during the 1960s, revolutionizing the production of black pearls. Pioneers like Jean-Marie Domard, a French scientist, and Japanese pearl experts introduced modern culturing techniques, including grafting, which involved implanting a nucleus into an oyster to encourage the formation of a pearl.

This innovation led to the first successful commercial farms in the lagoons of French Polynesia. Over the years, Tahitian pearl farming evolved into a highly regulated industry, protecting both the environment and the oysters, while producing a steady supply of the lustrous black pearls that are now renowned for their size, color, and iridescence.

 

Early Tahitian Pearl History Japanese Grafter Oyster

Photo of Mr. Churoku Muroi, the first Japanese Akoya pearl grafter brought to French Polynesia by Jean-Marie Domard to begin pearl seeding operations.

 

Before seeding can begin, pearl farmers must rear juvenile oysters, called "spats." These are typically collected from the wild or bred in hatcheries. Oysters are fragile in the early stages of life and require careful attention. They are kept in controlled environments, either suspended in the lagoon or within protective enclosures, where they can grow without predation threats. The oysters must be regularly cleaned and monitored for health, as any damage or disease could lead to poor pearl development.

 

Baby Oyster Spat

Baby oyster spat are microscopic in size and need to be intensively nurtured while growing up to become pearl producers. 

 

Raising Tahitian Pearl Oysters on a Farm
Modern Grafting Technicians Working on Kamoka Pearl Farm

Photo of pearl grafting technicians working on the Kamoka Tahitian Pearl Farm. 

 

One of the most critical stages in Tahitian pearl farming is the seeding process, which involves surgically implanting a nucleus and a small piece of donor mantle tissue into the oyster.

The nucleus, usually made from a round bead of Mississippi mussel shell, acts as the foundation for the pearl. The mantle tissue, taken from another oyster, stimulates the oyster's nacre secretion process. This procedure requires precision and care, as any mistake can cause the oyster to reject the nucleus or die, severely impacting the success rate of pearl production.

 

Tools of a Pearl Oyster Grafting Technician

The tools of a pearl grafting technician.

 

After seeding, the oyster begins to secrete nacre around the nucleus to protect itself from the foreign object. Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, is made up of calcium carbonate and proteins that layer upon each other, creating the lustrous surface that pearls are known for.

In the case of Black Tahitian pearls, the dark nacre gives rise to their distinctive colors. The quality of the nacre—its thickness, uniformity, and smoothness—determines the value of the pearl. This process can take anywhere from 18 months to several years, with the best pearls typically requiring the most time to develop.

 

Diver Checking on Pearl Oysters Longline

A diver checking on nucleated Tahitian pearl oysters attached to a long line.

 

While the pearls are growing, the oysters are carefully monitored to ensure they haven't rejected their nuclei, or have caught an illness. Skilled divers regularly spend hours in the water cleaning the oyster shells, removing parasites and algae from their surfaces. This helps to maintain their health and optimal pearl growing conditions.
 
Environmental factors are critical to the success of pearl farming. Black-lipped oysters are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature, pollution levels, and salinity. Pearl farmers must regularly monitor water conditions to ensure the oysters are thriving.
 
The location of the pearl farm, often in remote lagoons with minimal human interference, is crucial for maintaining the purity of the water. Any contamination or drastic shifts in the environment can lead to oyster stress, resulting in misshapen or low-quality pearls.
Harvesting Tahitian Pearls Kamoka Pearl Farm
Workers at the Kamoka Tahitian pearl farm harvesting brand new Tahitian pearls. 

Tahitian Pearl in Shell Harvest

After The Harvest

Once the oysters have been allowed to secrete sufficient nacre, the pearls are ready for harvest. Farmers carefully remove the oysters from the water, opening the shells gently to extract the pearls without harming the mollusks. In some cases, oysters may be reseeded after a successful harvest to produce more pearls. The oysters can create several pearls in their lifetime, though each subsequent pearl may vary in quality. Harvesting is an art form in itself, as the goal is to preserve the health of the oyster while retrieving the perfect pearl.

After harvesting, pearls undergo a rigorous grading process. Each pearl is evaluated for its size, color, shape, surface quality, and luster. Tahitian pearls come in a variety of colors, but the most highly prized are those with even, smooth surfaces and rich hues, such as peacock or emerald green. The pearls are sorted by hand, and only the finest make it to the luxury market. Those with minor imperfections may still be used in jewelry, but they fetch lower prices compared to their flawless counterparts.

Tahitian pearls are the only cultured pearls in the world that have minimum nacre thickness of 0.8mm depth which mandated by the French Polynesian government in order to maintain high quality standards for their national export. Pearls are x-rayed before being allowed to be exported to ascertain nacre thickness. 

 

Tahitian Pearl X-Rayed Before Export

A pearl being x-rayed before being approved for export to determine nacre thickness.

 

Kevin Canning Tahitian Pearls Exported from French Polynesia

Kevin Canning showing off a large mixed lot bag of loose pearls direct from a farmer in French Polynesia.

 

Sorting and Matching

Tahitian pearls are never treated after harvest - the pearl's natural beauty in any color and overtone combination is allowed to shine on its own. Instead, the pearls are gently washed with soap and water, and then put in a tumbler with waxed bamboo chips to buff them up. 

The pearls are then matched into loose hanks for Tahitian pearl necklaces and bracelets. The process of matching a hank of Tahitian pearls can take months to years searching for the perfect pearl to add into a strand in progress, as each 18 inch hank must be matched for body color, overtone, luster, surface quality and size. 

Loose pearls are rarely matched into pairs and are instead usually bundled into large lots to be sold at auction, with the buyer then matching pairs for Tahitian pearl earrings themselves. They are then packaged and ready for sale either at an auction, or via a wholesaler who will sell them to a jeweler. 

 

Loose Tahitian Pearls at Auction
Matched Tahitian Pearl Necklaces

 

After Processing To Sale

After years of careful cultivation, Black Tahitian pearls are transformed into breathtaking jewelry pieces. Their exotic colors, rich history, and labor-intensive production process make them a symbol of luxury and elegance. Whether set in necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, each pearl carries a story of nature, craftsmanship, and dedication.

These pearls are not just beautiful gemstones—they represent the delicate balance between human skill and the natural world, making them a timeless treasure in the world of fine jewelry.

With Tahitian pearls, we work strictly with the A-D / A-AAAA Tahitian Pearl Grading System, and never purchase pearls graded lower than AAA quality. That way, you’re assured you are only purchasing within the top 15% of each pearl harvest. We purchase loose hanks and pre-matched pairs of pearls from the pearl processing factories themselves so you only get the best, at significant wholesale-to-the-public prices discounts.

 

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Featured Pearls

 

Tahitian South Sea Pearl & Diamond Erica Pendant

 

 

Black Tahitian South Sea Pearl and Diamond Erica Pendant

  • This exquisite pendant features an 11mm Tahitian South Sea pearl, handpicked for its radiant luster.
  • The pearl is mounted on the finest 14K gold with dazzling SI clarity diamonds.
  • This pendant is packaged in a beautiful jewelry gift box.
  • Your new pendant arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity and Pearl Care Kit.

 

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