Tahitian Pearls
The best gems the sea has to offer are not found in sunken treasure – they are creations of the sea itself. Those gems? Tahitian pearls.
The Tahitian pearl is the most sought of all the varieties of pearls. The Tahitian pearl is considered the “Queen of Pearls”, and Tahitian pearl jewelry is considered a symbol of luxury.
Tahitian pearls come from the black-lipped oyster which is native to the waters just off Tahiti. Tahitian oyster farmers are experts at farming these oysters and producing real cultured Tahitian pearls in abundance. Thousands of miles surrounding Tahiti are dedicated to the farming of pearls for jewelry.
Tahitian pearls are known for their high quality and unique, iridescent color. Tahitian pearls range in color from grayish-green to gray and black, but the most well known and well loved are Tahitian black pearls. When most people think of buying Tahitian pearls, it is usually the Tahitian black pearl they are after.
The cultivation and sale of Tahitian pearl jewelry has become a major contributor to the Tahitian economy. Great efforts are put forth by the Tahitian government every year to promote the marketing of Tahitian pearl jewelry. Thanks to these efforts, the demand for wholesale Tahitian pearl necklaces and coordinate jewelry rises five to ten percent each year.
Like diamonds and other precious and semi-precious gems, pearls are graded for quality. The grading scale for Tahitian pearls is based on six factors. Those factors are:
• Luster
• Nacre thickness
• Surface
• Color
• Size
• Shape
Jewelers and jewelry descriptions will give information about the quality of pearls in a piece of Tahitian pearl jewelry. To the eye of the buyer, assuming the quality is such that the pearls shine to the casual observer, the most important determination is size. Tahitian pearls are most commonly sold in a size range of 8mm to 14mm. A 14mm Tahitian pearl pendant is a valuable piece and very desirable. Sixteen mm black Tahitian pearls can be purchased as well, but are less common and so, more valuable. Larger pearls are rarely found and are very expensive; black Tahitian pearl pendants of larger than 18mm are extremely rare.
People often prefer to purchase Tahitian black pearl jewelry because they feel it captures all the best features of pearl jewelry in a color and style that just enough different and unique. Some popular styles of Tahitian pearl jewelry are:
• Tahitian pearl ring
• Tahitian pearl necklace (including men’s Tahitian pearl necklace styles which are favored for their more masculine appearance- the Tahitian black pearl necklace, especially)
• Tahitian pearl pendant
• Tahitian pearl bracelet
Like many pearl jewelry collections, it is common to begin a set with the purchase of a Tahitian pearl necklace, and continue to build the set from there with subsequent gifts of Tahitian pearls.
Tahitian pearls continue to thrive in pearl markets. Their popularity grows everyday. Tahitian pearls are versatile, valuable jewels that can be worn with both casual and formal attire, and with expanded online markets, shopping for unique and traditional styles of Tahitian pearl jewelry is easier than ever before.
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