How to Make South Seas Black Pearls
South Sea Black pearls are among the most beautiful pearls in the world. These are also called Tahitian pearls, which often become black instead of the white pearls found in many other locations. Though there are several types of colored pearls in the world, the black pearls or those with a peacock green sheen, are found only in Tahitian pearls. These striking pearls are not only found in nature, but they can be made.
Instructions
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Obtain black lipped oysters as newborns. To ensure that you can grow South Sea Black pearls, the oysters need to be babies.
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Place the baby oysters in a cage and put the cage in an area of the sea that has a high content of plankton, which will provide plenty of food for the oysters.
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Check the temperature of the water regularly. Healthy oysters need a regular, warm water temperature of approximately 75 degrees. If you live in a colder climate, move the oysters to warmer salt water locations during cold seasons.
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Allow the oysters about two or three years to grow. To obtain beautiful pearls, oysters need to be healthy and fairly large. Three years of carefully controlled environment can help oysters grow healthy and large.
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Take the oysters out of the water and place in a shady area. Once the shells open, use a wooden peg to keep the oyster shell open so you can insert the nucleus.
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Secure the oyster and make a 1/2-inch cut into the connective tissue of the oyster. Insert the clam tissue and mother of pearl into the oyster at the cut. Take the wedge out of the oyster and put the oyster back into the water.
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Let the oysters grow for two to four years. In this time, the black lipped oysters will make a south sea black pearl. Keep the oysters in an environment where the water is warm and full of plankton.
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Tips & Warnings
Opening the oyster too far can kill it, so be careful not to open the shell too far while inserting the mother of pearl and clam tissue.
References
- Photo Credit black pearls image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com
