A jewel from the islands

Buying a Tahitian pearl

Cultured pearls

50 shades of color

Although Tahitian pearls are called black pearls, they actually come in a magnificent palette of colors ranging from aubergine to blue and emerald green to gray…

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If you are purchasing a single pearl, have it pierced in French Polynesia, because it's a skill mastered by very few people elsewhere.

Beauty secrets of the pearl

In order to decorate your neck with such beauty and elegance, the pearl has to go through a very long process. To begin with, a small bead is implanted, or grafted, inside the shell of an oyster, which is then submerged in the sea for between 18 and 24 months. Slowly, the oyster covers the bead in layers of nacre, or mother-of-pearl. A successful outcome owes much to the skill of the grafting technician and the environment in which the oyster develops, but a certain amount of luck is also required. Sometimes a pearl of stunning beauty will grow next to the very plainest of neighbors!

There are several places to purchase the pearl of your dreams. If you have the opportunity, don’t hesitate to visit a pearl farm. Once you’ve been shown and explained the intricate process of producing a pearl, you’ll be able to buy one, (or several), directly from the producer. Other places where you can learn about pearl production and purchase at favorable rates include Papeete market, various exhibitions and the boutiques of numerous craftsmen and jewelers. Before making your purchase, take a good look at the pearls and note any imperfections. Then it’s simply a matter of choosing the size, luster and above all, the color that best suits your desires.