History of Tahitian Pearl Production

The term "Tahitian pearl" is a somewhat of a misnomer, as this particular pearl variety is not actually from Tahiti. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, which is located east of Australia, in the South Pacific. Although Tahiti is the namesake for the "Tahitian pearl," most pearl culturing farms are found on other islands in the territory west of Tahiti, or in the Tuamotu archipelago island chain east of Tahiti. Kokichi Mikimoto and Ryukyu Pearls began marketing the "Tahitian Black Pearl" in the early 1900s. Prior to this, Okinawa Japan was the only source of black-lipped cultured pearls.

 

Tuamotu Pearls

The tiny atoll of Hikueru, located in the center of the Tuamotu atoll chain, has been at the center of the Tahitian pearl industry for over a century. The Tuamotu archipelago was first discovered in 1521, by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, but the island chain was officially claimed as French territory by navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville, in 1768.

Hikueru was a natural breeding ground for the "black-lipped" oyster, host to the famous "black pearl." In Jack London's book "South Sea Tales," he recounts the 1903 cyclone that devastated the area, wiping out the pearling industry. In the book he wrote of Hikueru's pearls: "Mapuhi has found a pearl, such a pearl. Never was there one like it ever fished up in Hikueru, nor in all the Paumotus, nor in all the world."

The Tuamotu archipelago island chain, situated 300 km east of Tahiti, consists of 78 circular reef lagoons or atollss. These atoll lagoons are surrounded by chains of low islets called motu, which barley protrude above sea-level, and are linked by sand-bars. Fakarava, Rangiroa, Manihi and Tikehau
 

The cultured Tahitian pearl industry got its start in the early 1960s, when Japanese Akoya-style pearl cultivation was tried on the blacklipped oyster. Cultured pearl farming was first attempted on Hikueru in the Tuamotu islands, and Bora Bora in French Polynesia by Jean-Marie Dormand, considered the "father" of cultured black pearl farming. The first privately owned pearl farm was started on the atoll of Manihi
French Polynesia Pearls

The primary sources for pearl farming in the 'Leeward Islands' (Îles Sous-le-Vent) of French Polynesia are Tahaa, Huahine and Raiatea, some 200 km north-west of Tahiti. Raiatea is the second largest of the Society Islands (Archipel de la Société) in French Polynesia. Huahine is two separated islands connected by a sandspit. The big island to the north is known as "Big Huahine" (Huahine Nui) and Little Huahine is called (Huahine Iti).

Pearl farms are scattered throughout the many shallow lagoons that surround the islands, dotted with vanilla plantations. Tahaa's Poerani, Motu, and Vaipoe pearl farms are open for public tours.

The Pinctada Margaritifera "Black-Lipped" Oyster

Tahitian Pearls are found in a mollusk that is native to the islands of French Polynesia. This bivalve mollusk is called the "black-lipped" oyster, or Pinctada Margaritifera cumingi. The outside edges of the oyster shell and edges of the mantle are black in color. The black-lipped oyster is found in a wide geographic area from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of California and can grow to 12 inches in length.

In nature, the black-lipped oyster can live up to 30 years, grow up to a foot in diameter and weigh up to 1 pound. During its pearl producing years (ages 3 to 7), the black-lipped oyster is usually between 6 and 8 inches in diameter. Throughout their life-cycle, the oysters must be removed from the water every few months to be washed clean of any algae growth. Mantel obtained from a few sacrificial oysters is used for implantation (aka grafts) in the remainder. After implantation, the oysters are suspended from keep nets to protect them from predators, while the pearls are formed.

Black-lipped oyster pearls are unique because of their natural dark colors. This black-lipped mollusk secrets a dark colored pigment during the nacre building phase. Most Tahitian "black pearlsls" are not actually black, but are actually silver, gray, or charcoal. Pure black pearls are extremely rare. Many black pearls get their coloring through artificial means, using either radiation or dye (French Dying) to "enhance" their color. French Dying can produce an extremely durable finish that can penetrate deep into the nacre. The most valuable "black" pearls have what is known as a "peacock green" overtone or color component.

Rangiroa

Rangiroa boasts the second largest lagoon in the world 
 

From the air, the atoll - the second largest in the world - seems to be a giant pearl necklace laid upon the water.

Here is a world where 240 tiny islets, or motu, each no more than three feet in elevation, lay upon the ocean for more than 110 miles completely encircling an infinitely deep lagoon.

Surrounded by two legendary bodies of water, Moana-tea (Peaceful Ocean) and Moana-uri (Wild Ocean), the main villages of Avatoru and Tiputa offer the visitor with a unique look at the South Pacific lifestyle of the residents. Along the few roads, coral churches, craft centers, local restaurants, and tiny shops provide enjoyable land-based experiences to complement the many activities awaiting the visitor in the lagoon.

The Endless Lagoon

 Gauguin's Pearl Farm one of French Polynesia's largest

a discussion of pearl farming

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