Enchantingly colorful, rare and uniquely lustrous Tahitian pearls are a welcome addition to any jewelry collection. Tahitian pearls come in a stunning array of colors, sizes and shapes. Ancient cultures associated pearls with celestial bodies because of their spherical shape and silvery glow. Tahitian pearls—especially black pearls radiating with purple, green and silver tones—represent the dark side of the moon. Learn more about Tahitian pearls in our guide.
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.
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 pearls also form inside an oyster, but with a little help from skilled pearl technicians. Cultured pearls are just as authentic—not to mention as exquisite—as natural pearls and 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 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 Tahitian pearls have to offer with these easy tips to start your pearl jewelry-buying journey.
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
With growing popularity for these stylish pearls, there are many imitations. Cultured Tahitian pearls are real pearls, but dyed pearls are not authentic Tahitian pearls. These enchantingly unique gems aren’t just solid black pearls, Tahitian pearls will exhibit multiple overtones and hues that seem to glow from the gem.
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.
