Discover the difference between Tahitian pearls and Australian Saltwater pearls, South Sea Pearls and Akoya pearls in our latest blog post. Learn about their unique features as well as our Pearls of Australia’s Saltwater pearls.
What are Tahitian pearls?
The exotic black pearls referred to as Tahitian pearls come from the Pinctada margaritifera or the Black-lip shell. The name of the Tahitian pearl does lead you to think that they originate in Tahiti, but this is not the case! Although Tahiti is the main trading post, they are actually farmed and found in French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, the Micronesian Islands and the Abroholos Islands in Western Australia.
The Cultivation and Growth of Tahitian Pearls
The tropical, warm waters of the South Pacific Ocean are ideal for culturing large saltwater pearls. Tahitian pearls are harvested after an 18 to 24 month growth period. The combination of warmer temperatures and a longer cultivation time for each pearl equates to pearls with very thick nacre, stunning lustre, and incredible colour.
The History of Tahitian Pearls
Tahitian pearls are relatively new within the pearl market, with their popularity only rising in the mid-1900s. The people of Polynesia primarily harvested the black-lipped pearl oysters, and like most mother of pearl shell at some point in history, these shells were used extensively in jewellery, adornment, and decorations. The Tahitian pearls themselves were extremely rare until the practice of pearl cultivation arrived in the 20th century, where it wasn’t until 1972 that they started being exported from French Polynesia to across the world.
