Grown on the islands of French Polynesia, Tahitian pearls came on the market in the mid-1970s and are frequently referred to as “black” pearls because of their dark colors. Most Tahitian pearls are in fact not black, but have body colors that range in grays, greens, blues and browns.

Tahitian cultured pearls are grown in the black-lipped oyster called Pinctada margaritifera cumingi. This oyster is native to French Polynesia and can live up to 30 years, grow up to 30 cm in diameter (12 inches) and weigh up to 10 pounds.

What makes Tahitian cultured pearls so desirable and beautiful is a combination of their large size, rarity, and striking colors. Most Tahitian cultured pearls measure between 8mm and 14mm. More than half of the Tahitian pearls on the market are round or near-round, with the other half being baroque shaped. Tahitian cultured pearl body color ranges from blacks, grays, greens, blues and browns with light to dark tones and weak to strong saturation.

There are three colors that are associated with Tahitian cultured pearls:

The luster of Tahitian cultured pearls range from excellent to fair and the pearls have a slight metallic sheen which is striking when combined with a subtle overtone. Because of the long two year growth period, which is the same for South Sea pearls, the nacre quality of Tahitian pearls is very high.

The surface of Tahitian cultured pearls range from spotless to heavily blemished, but Spencer & Spencer only offers pearls that are clean with minimal blemishes.

To learn more on pearl quality factors, visit our Pearl Guide.