1. Basics

Tahitian pearls are known for their dazzling natural colors. Ranging from pale Dove Grey to Near Jet Black primary hues, these pearls shimmer with a rainbow of famous overtones, most commonly Peacock, Green, Rose, Aquamarine, Silver/Steel and Copper. Tahitian pearls will traditionally feature what is known as a “satiny” luster. 

Tahitian pearls are cultured in the pinctada margartifera saltwater pearl oyster (one of the largest of all pearl-bearing oysters). Tahitian pearl sizes range from 8.0-9.0mm through 15.0-16.0mm – and sometimes larger.

2. The Tahitian Pearl Farms

 Tahitian pearls are not farmed on the island of Tahiti.

Contrary to their name, Tahitian pearls are not actually cultured in Tahiti. These pearls are grown in the tropical lagoons and atolls located in the French Polynesian island chain by small family or community-owned farms. The harvests are sent to Tahiti for export.

Tahitian pearls are "bead-nucleated", meaning that a spherical mother-of-pearl bead nucleus is surgically grafted into the oyster’s gonad to spark pearl formation. A 1.0mm square of donor mantle tissue from another oyster that has previously produced pearls of a very fine color is placed on top of the nucleus and the incision is sealed. The tiny pieces of donor tissue will influence the pearl’s resulting color and overtone.

Tahitian pearls are harvested after an 18 month to 2 year growth period (the average crystal depth for Tahitian pearls is 2.0-4.0mm). The harvested pearls are shipped to the main island of Tahiti, where they are x-rayed by the Pearl Ministry to measure nacre thickness, which by law must be a minimum of 0.8mm thick in order to qualify for legal export.

Tahitian pearl nacre thickness usually exceeds that easily, however it is an extra layer of security that ensures only the finest pearls are allowed onto the world’s jewelry market.

 

3. Shape

Cultured Tahitian pearls come in a wide variety of shapes from perfectly round classic pearls to circled baroque pearls to suit every taste. 

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4. Color

Tahitian pearls are known as a naturally-colored black pearl, the dark primary body colors are a perfect base for some of the more colorful Overtones (secondary colors) that Tahitian pearls are famous for.

Common Tahitian Pearl Body Colors (primary colors):

Silvery White (Very Rare)
Pale Dove Grey
Light Charcoal Grey
Medium Charcoal Grey
Medium-Dark Charcoal Grey
Dark Charcoal Grey
Very Dark Charcoal Grey
Very Near True Black to Jet Black (Rare)

 

 

Popular Tahitian Pearl Overtones:

 

Classic Peacock: Extremely popular, and is an iridescent mix of Green, Gold and Rose
Green: Very common Overtone, this can display like an Emerald Green or an Olivine and every shade in between.
Blue Green: A mix of Blue and Green colors.
Aquamarine: A pale Blue-ish-Green hue, best viewed over a Pale Dove Grey body color.
Dark Blue : can range from a Cerulean to Midnight-Blue tone.
Rose: Varying degrees of pink to red colors. Rose shows up often as a beautiful accent color; very rarely you’ll come across an all-Rose pearl.
Cherry / Aubergine: Mix of Dark Blue and Rose, best viewed over a Very Dark to Near Black body color.
Silver/Steel: Another very commonly seen Overtone for Tahitians. This is a soft, shimmery whitish sheen over a Grey body color.
Pistachio: Greenish-Gold mix. Commonly seen on Gem grade pearls
Bronze: Some Chocolate Tahitian pearls are dyed to achieve a uniform brown hue.

 

The vast majority of Tahitian pearl necklaces (round and baroque styles) are what we call “Graduated” strands.

These strands will feature pearls graduating from smaller pearls near the clasp, gradually increasing to a nice larger center section. On average, you’ll see ranges spanning 2.0-2.5mm or so. Measurements will be described as 9.0-11.5mm, or 10.0-12.0mm.

A “Non-Graduated” Necklace will feature pearls with no more than 1.0mm graduation rate from the smallest to largest pearls – so the layout would read 9.0-10.0mm, for example.

“Non-Graduated” Tahitian pearl necklaces are harder to create, as the farm will have more restrictions on the pearls it can work with when matching and building a layout, so these necklaces will be more expensive than traditionally “Graduated” strands.

 

5. Grading

The pearl farms in French Polynesia uses the A-D Grading Scale

• Grade D:  Commercial 35% annul yield

Up to 60% surface blemished visible.
Little to No luster.
Reflected light sources are soft and heavily blurred with very little definition. 
Not available for export, nuclei is recycled

• Grade C:  Top 35% annul yield

Up to 40% surface blemished visible. Earrings and Pendants blemished; 1-2 deep imperfections allowable.
Low luster.
Reflected light sources are soft and heavily blurred with slight definition. 

• Grade B: Top 30% annul yield

15-20% surface blemished visible. Earrings ,Pendants and Rings show slight spotting; 1 deep imperfections allowable, easily hidden for mounting
High to Medium-grade luster.
Reflected light sources feature some blurring on edges, slightly satiny. 

• Grade A Top 3-5% annul yield

5% surface blemished visible. Earrings ,Pendants and Rings set clean; No deep imperfections allowable.
Very sharp luster.
Reflected light sources are sharp and crisp with little to no blurring on edges. 

 

Every Tahitian Pearl listed at Uncommon Pearls is totally unique. We select each pearl in its stunning colors, overtones or particularly bright luster. We do our very best to provide new pearls for everyone to admire at a range of price points for every budget.

Swarovski Crystal Pearls are made for those who are looking for perfectly flawless round pearls. With fine pearls, we aim to bring you precious gemstones that sparkle with character and personality. Pearls that will become yours, and yours alone.

We always recommend finding pearls with Luster and Colors. Then consider other factors like Size or Surface Quality.

If you'd like help finding the perfect pearl for you, feel free to Contact Us anytime, our pearl experts are always happy to help.