About Tahitian Pearls
If you are looking for a more exotic piece of jewelry to add to your collection, consider buying jewelry made of the mysteriously colored Tahitian pearl. These gorgeous pearls are produced by a bivalve mollusk named the black-lipped oyster. This rare oyster is native to French Polynesian but is also found from the Gulf of California to the Persian Gulf. This generous oyster can live to 30 years old and weigh up to a pound. It only produces it's precious pearls from the age of 3 to 7. Does this Spark an idea?
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Origins of Farmed Tahitian Pearls
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You can find pearl farms in the warm and pristine lagoons of the Tuamotu Archipelago and Gambier Islands. These remote islands can only be reached by seaplane or boat. The water around these lagoons is known to be sparkling clean, which helps the cultivating process of the pearl in the oyster. Because of the high number of coral reefs around these lagoon, the waters are packed with nutrients and there is a lack of wave action that may disturb the oyster beds. Black-lipped oysters are also grown in the Cook Islands and Micronesia, but only pearls grown in French Polynesia can be called Tahitian pearls.
Grading
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Tahitian pearls are graded from "A" to "D," with "A" being the highest grade a pearl can be awarded. This system is regulated by the French Polynesian government to keep the standards consistent. This system is called the "Tahitian System." "A" is the best quality Tahitian pearl with an amazing luster and only 10 percent minor imperfections on the surface of the pearl. "B" is a high to moderate luster with slight surface defect never more than 60 percent of the pearl's surface. "C" is a moderately lustrous pearl with defects spread over about 60 percent of the pearl. "D" pearls have some slight defect and they are spread over 60 percent of the pearl. These pearls may have superior luster or low luster. It is the defects that categorized these pearls.
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Size and Shape
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Size and shape of the Tahitian cultured pearl varies greatly. Most pearl can range from 8 millimeters to 14 millimeters. The largest recorded pearl was 27 millimeters. It is rare, but some pearls can grow between 17 and 19 millimeters. Only half of Tahitian pearls grow round. Many of these pearls contain physical rings or grooves running around their circumference. These grooved pearls are often less valuable than the perfectly round and smooth pearls.
Color and Luster
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The color of the Tahitian pearl is what really makes this pearl stand out from basic white pearls. There are three color groups generally recognized by the French Polynesian government. The first is the aubergine pearls that feature gray-purple colors. The second color range is the peacock group that can range from green and gray to blue and purple with rose overtones. The last color range is pistachio, which is yellow to green in color. Some farmers tweak with the color of the Tahitian pearl by injecting compounds that would influence the color of the pearl. Salt also affects the color of the pearl as well as the quality of the water and food the pearl consumes throughout its life. The luster of the Tahitian pearl is considered metallic looking and all these pearls need are one buffing to bring out their magical shine.
Surface Quality
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It is common for the Tahitian pearl to have a couple of blemishes. These scars can range from heavy to nearly non-existent. Most jewelers will use the blemishes for their drill holes when they are making jewelry. The nacre thickness is set by the government of French Polynesia. It is required to have a color depth, or nacre, of 0.8 millimeters before any pearl is sold.
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