|
T H E B L A C K P E A R L S T O R Y
What are they and where do they come from?
Tahitian Black Pearls, regarded as symbols of luxury and perfection, have been long sought after for their exceptional beauty, value and rarity. Named after the tropical
island of
Tahiti whence they come, they were historically used in jewellery by the world’s royalty and nobility. Hence the Tahitian Black Pearl became known as the ‘pearl of queens’ and the ‘queen of pearls’. The Tahitian Black Pearl, according to legend, has become the symbol of hope in man’s wounded heart.
Tahitian Black Pearls come from the black-lipped oyster, known as the ‘Pinctada Margaritifera,’ found in the French Polynesian waters and only pearls from this oyster can carry the designation of Tahitian Black Pearl. The oyster naturally secretes a black pigment which gives the pearl its colour. Such pearls must have a continuous pearly layer over at least 80% of the pearl surface. Any pearls which do not satisfy this criterion cannot be called Tahitian pearls and are deemed rejects.
What gives them their value?
One single Tahitian pearl can cost from around £50 for a small pearl of average quality to around £5,000 for a large pearl of exceptional quality. Tahitian pearls are more expensive than white pearls of the non
South
Sea variety because the oyster which produces it is rarer and its farming is more delicate. They have to be farmed in special areas which are not as close to inhabited areas as is the case with white pearls. They also grow for a much longer period of time, a minimum of two years, whereas white pearls grow for as little as eight months. (
South
Sea white pearls however can be just as expensive as they too require the same level of care). Tahitian pearls are naturally cultured with man intervening in the place of nature. Completely natural black pearls occur only about once in every 15,000 oysters.
The Qualities of Tahitian Black Pearls
Six factors determine the Tahitian pearl quality. These are size, shape, colour, lustre, surface quality, and nacre. Generally speaking large rounder pearls with a high lustre, smooth surface and peacock and pistachio overtones are the most valued and costly.
Round
These are the most desirable and valuable. They are almost perfect spheres whose diameter varies less than 2%. The production of round ones accounts for 5-10% of all Tahitian Pearls produced every year.
Semi Round
These are asymmetrical and irregular in shape.
Semi Baroque
These are subdivided into different shapes: drop, button, pear and oval.
Circle
Colour
Although Tahitian Black Pearls are famous for their natural black colour, they have a wide range of colours including grey, blue, green and brown. Generally speaking the darker the pearl the more valuable it is. The finest pearls have a peacock green overtone. Other overtones are pink, blue, gold, silver and aubergine.
Lustre
Lustre is the best expression of a pearl’s beauty. It is the quality of the light reflections from the pearl’s surface and how it seems to glow from within. High quality pearls have a high lustre and almost mirror like finish.
Surface Quality
The more flawless the pearl the higher the value, but only one oyster in a million may produce a perfect flawless pearl. As pearls are created in the ocean by a wild oyster, nature leaves its mark and these marks, or spotting, are part of the individual elements of every pearl.
Nacre
The thickness of the nacre affects the durability of the pearl’s beauty. Pearls with a thick nacre will last a lifetime. A thin nacre will give a milky look to the colour of the pearl which will then lack overtone tints.
Tahitian Black Pearls Created Kindly
The development of the cultured pearl industry has helped the Polynesian economy and its workers enormously over the past 30 years or so. The popularity and desirability of the Tahitian Black Pearl coupled with new and better methods of production have brought to the islands higher employment in what was a declining ‘agriculture sector,’ better wage rates and safer working methods.
The impact on the islanders has been a marked improvement in the general standard of living amongst those involved in pearl farming, including better quality housing, sanitation and higher social status. As the industry matures further and becomes better regulated more families are expected to benefit from what is the region’s biggest export.
|
