Tahitian Pearls and Why They are so Coveted

Once known as the Pearl of Queens, the Tahitian pearl is among the priciest on the market. Despite the name, these highly sought after pearls can be found in the Philippines, Panama, the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, and Fiji. This nomenclature is not the only one which is confusing, for they are also known as Tahitian black pearls, though the color can range anywhere from silver-white to dark black. 

The reason these pearls are so expensive is, as with most gems, a case of supply and demand. The Pictada margaritifera, commonly known as the black lipped oyster, is the only mollusk that produces these pearls. The cultivation consists of inserting a miniscule piece of mother of pearl or similar hard shell-like substance into the oyster. The oyster internally exudes nacre which builds up over a period of two years yielding one lustrous pearl. Think about it, two years for just one pearl! And so, you can imagine that thousands of dollars for a single perfect Tahitian is not unheard of. 

My first pair of Tahitian pearl earrings, Tahiti Grand, were sold a few weeks ago. Luckily, I have added a couple of new ones to my collection: Tahitian Swirl and Swan for every Design by Alina Tahitian pearl lover.