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The Pearls of Tahiti are commonly known
as "Black Pearls". Ninety-five percent of the world’s black
pearls come from the lagoons of French Polynesia in the South
Pacific. Black pearls are named after the oyster from which they
are derived – the Pinctada Margaritifera – the black-lipped
oyster, found in the crystal clear waters of French Polynesia.
In nature, the black-lipped oyster can live up to 30 years,
grows up to a foot in diameter and weighs up to 1 pounds During
the years it produces pearls, ages 3 to 7 the black-lipped
oyster is usually between 6 and 8 inches in diameter, which
often results in much larger-than-average pearls. The pearls are
unique because of their natural dark colors.
Not all black pearls are black. In
fact the colors can include black, champagne grey, peacock
green, eggplant, bronze, cream, pink and gold. Value is
determined by size, luster and surface quality rather than
color, though the colors peacock green and eggplant are much
appreciated by pearl connoisseurs.
Shimmering, iridescent, exotic and
rare, black pearls were the ultimate gift of love and romance,
and were given to lovely Tahitian queens and princesses by their
ardent lovers. Extremely rare, black pearls were cherished by
Tahitian Royalty as a gift of the gods.
The value of black pearls ranges
from $100 for a small pearl of average quality to up to $10,000
for a round pearl of perfect quality with a diameter of 18mm.
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