Tahitian Black Pearls

Black South Sea pearls are famously known as Tahitian pearls, they are large, exotic and beautiful. These pearls are native of French Polynesia. These pearls are famous for their intense color, which is produced by Pinctada margarifera known as Black lipped oyster in Cook and Carolina Islands of French Polynesia.

Tahitian or Black color have metallic luster. Amazing luster and thick nacre makes Tahitian pearls more expensive. Commercially viable Tahitian pearls have at least 1mm of radius. Black pearl with nacre thinner than 1mm is not called Tahitian pearls. Very thin nacre decreases durability of Tahitian pearls.

Surface imperfections decrease the value of these black pearls. You can opt for some pearls with flaws or blemishes on one side. You can cover those blemishes while making jewelry. There is a specific rating, which is used for grading Tahitian pearls like A, B, C, D and Top gem. Top gem pearl is flawless and has excellent luster.

A: Surface of these pearls is 90% flaw free. They may have some light concentrated imperfections with one or two deep perfections. These pearls has very high luster.
B: Surface of these pearls is 70% flaw free with some light concentrated imperfection.
C: 40% flaw free surface with some light and high concentrated imperfections. These pearls have medium luster.
D: Large amount of flaws and very dull luster.

Tahitian pearls are available in many colors other than black like gray, green, lavender and brown. With iridescence these pearls looks like peacock feather. Even some are dyed so always take dye test before buying Black pearls. Dyed pearls don’t possess natural overtones. Also you can compare with natural pearls. There are many shapes available in these Black pearls like Round, off-round, Drop, Button and circle. They can grow to 9mm to 22mm of diameter. As size increases so does the price.

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