Why are Tahitian pearls popular for jewelry-making?

The array of colors and luster of Tahitian pearls make an instant statement when set in earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Because the black lip oyster is large (sometimes weighing up to 10 pounds!), Tahitian pearls can be found in bigger sizes.

Tahitian pearls have a lot more variability than classic white akoya pearls. They can be found round, but also in many natural shapes such as button, teardrop, flat oval, and baroque (irregular). As you might imagine, this stunning natural variety is a dream come true for jewelry-makers. 

HOW TO SPOT AUTHENTIC TAHITIAN PEARLS

Spend any time with jewelry lovers on Maui, and it won’t be long before you hear someone mention Tahitian pearls.

Maybe you’ve heard about these signature gems before, or perhaps the style has popped up as you’ve researched the perfect souvenirs to take home from your Hawaiian vacation. Tahitian pearls are in high demand. But what exactly are they? And if you want to purchase Tahitian pearl jewelry, how can you be sure that the pieces you’re drawn to are authentic—not an imitation? 

What are Tahitian pearls?

These stunning pearls actually get their start as small formations inside the black lip oyster. When an irritation (plastic, piece of coral, even bacteria) enters inside the oyster pearls are formed naturally. Nowadays all the pearls you see in the jewelry market are cultured. Pearl culturing is a process where a shell bead is carefully injected into the oysters mantle and over 4-6 years a pearl grows layer by layer. 

Cultured pearls are authentic pearls.  A tahitian pearl has been cultured and harvested in and around Tahiti and the surrounding islands. Tahitians range in color, shape, and quality- similar to how diamonds are categorized and priced. 

You can spot a real tahitian by its coloring and luster.  Tahitians range from silvers, to pastels, to gray, and multi colored. The higher quality pearls have better luster which can be seen by a reflective quality on their nacre, outer layer. Peacock tahitian pearls have rainbows or color within a single pearl and are highly coveted. 

How can you tell whether Tahitian pearl earrings are authentic? 

First, examine the surface. Authentic Tahitian pearls are known for the luster of their shiny, reflective surfaces. The very best pearls are so reflective that you can see your face in them! On the other hand, if a Tahitian pearl seems dull, blurry, or even painted, that could be a sign that you’ve got a plastic pearl in your hands. 

Second, look for undertones. Tahitian pearls should be opalescent and shiny, not matte on the surface. In clear light, it’s common to see undertone colors including green, blue, silver, pink, and yellow peeking through. 

Finally...consider the source

The finest quality Tahitian earrings may look “perfect”—free from chips, blemishes, or imperfections with an even color tone throughout. However, they are thicker than synthetic beads, because the nacre—layers of deposits from the oyster—grows over time. Keep an eye out for hollow or lightweight pearls. More likely than not, they are not true Tahitians. 

What about Tahitian pearls with irregular—or baroque—shapes? Keep in mind that not all Tahitian pearls are perfectly round. In fact, it’s estimated that only about 10% of harvested pearls have this classic appearance. Because pearls are formed as growths from oysters, there’s one key word to remember when evaluating irregularly shaped pearls: symmetry. Simply put, baroque pearls should be symmetrical in shape whether or not they are round in appearance. 

Finally, don’t forget to consider the size of the pearls. Typically, Tahitian pearls range in size from 8 mm-14 mm and are often larger than their paler counterparts. If you notice a pearl that looks unusually small or large, that may be a sign it isn’t truly from the sea. 

To make sure you’re getting authentic Tahitian pearl earrings, you’ll want to go to a jewelry-maker with a reputation for sourcing genuine materials of the highest quality.  At Puka Perri, we use only genuine Tahitian pearls sourced from pearl culturing farms in Tahtiti and the outer islands. Each Tahitian pearl used in our jewelry is hand-selected by Perri who has years of experience evaluating pearls and she only works with her trusted pearl dealers. Each treasure is then used to create one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces, and bracelets set in gold-filled, fine gold and silver. 

If you’re looking for authentic Tahitian pearl earrings, you cannot go wrong with our Tahitian Pearls on Gold-Filled Hoops. We carefully match our pearls for color, shape, and size. Choose between drop shape or round.  If you’re more  of a necklace person, our fan favorites are the Lone Pearl Necklace or Short Triple Pearl Lariat . If you want to go big, I love creating pearl strands to enhance your unique coloring. I am adventurous in the sense of mixing tahitians with south seas and being very specific with tones and textures. Check out my Golden and Pastel Strand to see some of my finest work in pearl stranding.

These Tahitian pearl jewelry creations are wardrobe essentials that take even the most low-key of outfits to the next level. Pearls are not just worn in the islands, but can be part of your wardrobe for special nights out or daily go tos.. Contact Puka Perri today to begin designing your dream piece!