What Are Tahitian Pearls?
Tahitian pearls are farmed from the black-lipped oyster and are known for their unique coloration and size. Despite what the name implies, Tahitian pearls don’t come from Tahiti. The name was born when pearl farmers from the other islands in French Polynesia would visit Tahiti to sell their wares, popularizing the area for the signature black pearl.
What Sets Tahitian Pearls Apart?
Around the world, pearls are cultivated inside the black-lipped oyster called Pinctada margaritifera, but only those from French Polynesia can officially be called Tahitian pearls. If there’s one thing that defines Tahitian pearls, it’s color. Tahitian pearls have the greatest color spectrum of any pearl type, but it's their natural black shade that set them apart as a rebel of the gemstone world.
Tahitian pearls—especially black pearls radiating with purple, green and silver tones—represent the dark side of the moon. You can find a shining Tahitian pearl in many shades, from lighter luster to dark hues.
What to Look for in Tahitian Pearls
Our Tahitian pearls, like almost all of those on the market today, are of the cultured variety and are hand-selected to find the finest gem. One of the biggest concerns among new pearl buyers is whether cultured pearls are as “real” as natural pearls — and the answer is “yes!” Cultured Tahitian pearls also form inside an oyster, but with a little help from skilled pearl technicians. A cultured Tahitian pearl is just as authentic—not to mention as exquisite—as a natural pearl. As an added benefit, cultured black pearls are attainable at a more affordable price without sacrificing quality or elegance. The availability of cultured pearls makes it possible to choose the size, colors and styles that you love so you’re never limited by the scarcity of natural black pearls.
Size
Cultured pearls are sold by size rather than weight to ensure you always get fair value. Ranging from 8 mm to 18 mm, Tahitian pearls are among the largest pearl varieties.
Color
Tahitian pearls are known for their dark gray body-color, but they come in the full spectrum of shades, from white to black. Two aspects create the rich look of Tahitian pearls: body color and overtones.
Body color describes the main color of the pearl. Tahitian pearls are best known for the signature charcoal body, but can also range from white to brown.
Overtones are the softer colors that shimmer over the body of a pearl—think of an oil slick on water.
Overtones can lend green, pink, orange and silvery hues to your pearl jewelry. Their signature color once made Tahitian pearls the rarest of any pearl type—and led to plenty of copycats. With the discovery of pearl cultivation, authentic Tahitian pearls are now affordable to a much wider market.
Beware of any non-Tahitian pearls that claim to be black. These have been chemically dyed, which weakens the nacre and shortens their lifespan.
Shape
Perfectly round pearls command the highest price, but they’re not the only choice for a statement look. Tahitian pearls make baroque and circle shapes stand out when their grooves catch the light and their subtle overtones shimmer.
Luster
Luster is created when light reflects back through the layers of nacre that form the pearl, creating that signature glow. For an easy way to assess luster, check for your reflection in the surface of the pearl.
How to Choose Tahitian Pearl Jewelry
Enjoy everything these iconic black pearls have to offer with our expert tips and Tahitian pearl buying guide.
1: Determine Your Budget
Decide how much you will budget for your pearl jewelry. By deciding ahead of time how much you want to spend, you’ll be more likely to stay within your budget.
2: Shop by Style
Enjoy browsing different styles of jewelry, from necklaces and earrings to bracelets and cuff links. Consider the metal type for the setting based on what you think looks best with the pearl or what you like best. Decide whether you’re going to go big and bold or small and subtle.
3: Find a Retailer You Trust
There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind! If you’ve purchased our pearl jewelry and discovered a color or style you love even more, we make it easy with 30-day free returns, no questions asked. You can always feel confident knowing you’ll always find something you love.
How to Tell if Tahitian Pearls are Real
You can quickly tell the difference between genuine Tahitian pearls and imitation pearls by looking at the surface of the gem along with its drill holes. Real Tahitian pearls will have a lustrous surface that shows a larger color spectrum in almost any light. As a nature-made gem, real Tahitian pearls will often have an unevenness to the surface and also a roughness to their drill holes for Tahitian pearl strings.
Tahitian Pearls Price
Are Tahitian pearls more expensive than other kinds of pearls? Yes, Tahitian pearls often have higher prices than more common pearl types. This is because Tahitian pearls are highly valued for their unique colors, rarity and their enchanting luster.
Cultured varieties of Tahitian pearls offer more flexible pricing. We offer a wide selection of Tahitian pearl styles including black pearl earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Where do Tahitian Pearls Come From?
Tahitian pearls are grown in the black-lipped Pinctada margaritifera oyster and are found among islands throughout French Polynesia. These pearls can be grown naturally or cultivated, but both types require the black-lipped oyster for creation of the gems.
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Questions and Answers About Tahitian Pearls
What are Tahitian pearls?
Tahitian pearls are organic gemstones that are formed by the black-lipped oyster. These pearls are identified by their large size and unique color spectrum. Ranging from lighter gray to dark black, these pearls have unique textures and colors that make them some of the most coveted pearl types available. Tahitian pearl jewelry is especially popular, featuring these iconic black pearls in large sizes.
How much are real Tahitian pearls worth?
As some of the rarest pearl types available, Tahitian pearls generally command higher prices than more common freshwater pearls. Luckily, the availability of cultured authentic Tahitian pearls has made these gems competitively priced for any jewelry collection. These pearls can be priced anywhere from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, all depending on their size, rarity, creation method, and jewelry setting.
At Blue Nile, we offer popular Tahitian pearls set in jewelry for a wide range of styles and budgets.
What do Tahitian pearls look like?
Every Tahitian pearl is a natural creation, making these gems incredibly unique. They can range from light gray to green, silver, deep blue, and even black.
In general, Tahitian pearls are larger gems with rounder shapes, though the exact shape can vary from one pearl to the next. The shapes can include perfectly rounded, pear-shaped, and circular gems with unique baroque textures.
Are Tahitian pearls rare?
Yes, Tahitian pearls are considered some of the rarest jewelry-quality pearls available.
Where do these pearls come from?
Tahitian pearls can be found in islands throughout French Polynesia
How do you care for Tahitian pearls?
As with other pearl types, Tahitian pearls are delicate gems that should be cared for with specialized approaches.
In general, it’s safe to wipe your Tahitian pearl jewelry clean with a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid submerging strand pearl necklaces or other Tahitian pearl jewelry in water or cleaning solutions.
You should follow the first on, first off rule when wearing Tahitian pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and other jewelry. Your Tahitian pearls should be the last thing you put on before heading out for the day and the first thing you take off when you get home. This helps ensure you keep your jewelry safe from cosmetics or other chemicals. Visit our gemstone care guide for more tips.
What Tahitian pearl jewelry styles are popular?
The unique luster, color and shape of Tahitian pearls makes them especially popular for platinum, silver and white gold jewelry styles. Choose from standalone pendants with black pearls, classic stud earrings with these colorful natural gemstones and even jewelry styles that feature Tahitian pearls set with contrasting white diamonds.
How do Tahitian pearls compare to other kinds of pearls?
Tahitian pearls are generally larger, rarer and more colorful than more common freshwater or Akoya pearls. A Tahitian pearl will generally be darker or more silver-toned than South Sea pearls.