Overview of Pearl Types - Akoya Saltwater Pearl Overview - Freshwater Pearl Overview - Tahitian Pearl Overview - South Sea Pearl Overview Pearl Grading - Pearl Quality Criteria & Guides Selecting Pearls - Choosing Necklace Length - Choosing Pearl Diameter - Choosing Pearl Color/Overtone - Japanese vs. Chinese Pearls Pearl Treatments - Pearl Dyeing - Pearl Polishing - Pearl Bleaching Pearl History - A Brief History of Pearls - History of Akoya Pearl Culturing Pearl Farming - Natural vs. Cultured Pearls - About Pearl Farming Pearl Care - Pearl Care Guide About Our Jewelry - Dyed or Natural? - Chinese or Japanese? - Stranding Articles - The 14lb Pearl and Other World Record Gems

The famous Black Tahitian Pearl is produced by the “black-lipped” oyster (pinctada maxima family) along the islands of French Polynesia.

Because of the extremely large size of the black-lipped oyster (up to 1 ft. long), they produce some of the world’s largest pearls in primarily blackish body colors (charcoal/metallic/gray etc.). They are often accentuated with a beautiful array of colorful overtones. The nucleating and culturing of the Tahitian pearl is quite difficult with relatively high mortality rates for the host oyster. For this reason along with the large size and high quality of pearls harvested, Tahitian pearls often command very high market prices.

Black Tahitian pearls are among the most exotic and sought after pearls in all the world. Because this oyster is much larger than either the Akoya bearing or Chinese freshwater pearl oysters, Tahitians are harvested in larger diameter sizes. Typical harvests yield pearls ranging from 8-14mm.

Tahitian pearls have become extraordinarily popular due to the variety of dark body colors such as gray, silver, charcoal etc. as well as rare, naturally occurring vibrant colors. National pearl offers high-quality Tahitian pearls with rarely occurring exotic colors such as copper, pistachio, taupe, peacock, aubergine, steel gray, olive, sea green, black and others. These pearls are artistically arranged to create our "National Treasure Collection" multi-color Tahitian necklaces.

Tahitian pearls are a favorite for use in pearl pendants, a popular choice for women who prefer stylish and exotic pearl designs over more traditional pearl strands.