By Kheri Chawla
Although Pearls are synonymous with white colors but natural black color pearls produced by the Black-Lipped Oysters or Pinctada margaritifera are very much popular and most sought after now. Natural black pearls have metallic look and are farmed in Tahitian Island and other neighboring French Polynesian islands. Before the days of cultured pearls, black pearls were quite rare and carried higher value. White pearl oysters rarely produced natural black pearls, and black pearl oysters rarely produced any natural pearls at all.
Ever since the pearl farms had started using pearl culturing techniques, there has been tremendous growth in production of all types of pearls such as freshwater pearls, akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls and south sea pearls. The black pearl oysters found in Tahiti and many other Pacific Island areas are used for producing black cultured pearls. Seawater in Tahiti areas is very pristine and favorable to grow black pearls in these oysters. Tahiti’s government applies series of measures throughout the year aimed at improving the quality of exported pearls. It has a key role in ushering the sale and stabilizing the sale while controlling the quality of Tahitian pearls.
Black pearls have the same elegance as white pearls but they have that certain exquisiteness and exotic touch that make them simply irresistible. Since late 80’s, there has been a tremendous jump in Tahitian black pearls sale. In 2006, Japan, Hong Kong and U.S were the three major players in buying large quantity of Tahitian pearls to meet the ever-growing demand.
Tahitian black pearls are used in pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and pearl pendants etc. Black Tahitian pearl jewelry look very gorgeous and exotic as its radiant lustrous appeal makes it more attractive. Black pearl jewelry is also made from freshwater pearls and akoya pearls and are very much affordable. Pearls are often color-enhanced in many colors such as peach, lavender, pink and black etc to meet ongoing demands in the pearl jewelry industry. Women wear all colors of pearl jewelry and black pearls always have unique appeal. One is sure to fall in love with the exotic flair of black pearls.