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Manihiki
Known as the Island of Pearls
Manihiki sits atop an underwater mountain rising 13,000 feet (4000 m) above the ocean floor. In common with most atolls, Manihiki is flat and only a few feet above sea level.
The export of black pearls on Manihiki placed as the second biggest producer in the world of these fascinating gems, earning on average $5.3miWon a year, which includes the export of mother-of-pearl shell Not a bad effort for fewer than 600 people who live on two inhabited islands, Tukao and Tauhunu on either side of Manihiki’s magnificent lagoon.
Pearl farms ingeniously sited on built-up coral boulders seem to float over this vast water and are dotted over the entire lagoon. Sizes vary, from large two-storied buildings belonging to companies, to modest constructions owned by small farmers. Some hobby farmers merely have pearl shell lines stretched out, and like all other operations, the lines are kept floating and visible to passing boats by buoys.
All the lines that crisscross the lagoon are awaiting harvest time and hopefully the reward of quality black pearls that will end up in jewelry worn all over the world
The optimum result is a perfectly spherical Black Pearl
