China Pearls

Tahitian pearls are black, and are grown by the black-lipped oyster. Their natural dark colors make these pearls very unique and valuable.

Most “black” Tahitian pearls are not actually black. They come with silvery metallic or colorful overtones. Truly black pearls are extremely rare, and of the colored overtones, the peacock-green variety is the most valuable.

Tahitian pearls are the rarest and largest of all pearls. They have a rich, brilliant luster that tends to be metallic, with a smooth, clean nacre. They range in size from 9mm to 16mm. They tend to be teardrop-shaped, and they are primarily produced in the salt lakes of the Bolinia Islands.

Tahitian pearls have an average nacre thickness of 1mm and up. Tahitian pearls, like South Sea pearls, are allowed to grow in the oyster for a longer amount of time than any other pearl varieties, accumulating a thick nacre layer.

Tahitian pearls are one of the rarest pearl types in the world, and few oysters live to produce a fine pearl. Because of their rarity, they are highly prized. It’s very difficult to match Tahitian pearls for a set or a strand—even a pair of earrings is difficult to match. These pearls are bold and stunning, and make highly distinctive jewelry.