When precious stones are mentioned, gold and diamonds are invariably the first to be mentioned. There are also carved black pearls and there are distinctive types available. These stones are classified according to their color; there are white, golden, pink and dark colored ones. There are two other rare varieties. One type is Keshi gems. They are one of a kind and obtained in only a few countries as a naturally occurring spin-off from pearl cultivation activities.

They are genuine and quite pricey for their exclusive contours and being difficult to find or culture. Then there are Mabe pearls; these are semi artificial. They are made from a mollusk shell which is natural and then filled up with epoxy to get a pearl-like appearance which is artificial. This is why it is a called a semi-artificial pearl. Inimitable jewelry pieces can be made using black carved stones.

Nowadays, most of these gems are the cultured kind which is formed by people putting in a small bead or center for the mother-of-pearl to form around it. Although they are called Tahitian black gems, they actually come in an array of colors.

The grey colors are the most common but there are actually some in shades like greens, blues and purples although shades of grey are the most popular kind. The pearls all have a metallic polish to them and these other colors are all natural, coming about as a result of dark mother-of-pearl secretions that are unique to this specific oyster species.

These gems come from the Black lipped oysters which are huge, growing to measure as much as 12 inches in diameter and weigh up to 10 pounds. It is from their big mass and wide dimensions that the Tahitian black pearl is found. It is a warm water oyster species found in many parts of Central and South Pacific. It can be found in larger numbers in lagoons surrounding French Polynesia islands.

Natural dark colored gems are very hard to find these days. Out of 10,000 of these oysters, only one will produce a pearl. Their supply has been increased with the production of cultured Tahitian gems which has made them more affordable to more and more people. Tahitian carved precious gems are particularly outstanding in their own right. They are created by producing Tahitian and Marquesan tattoo motifs so that each carved pearl is an exclusive creation.

Tahitian carved gems are most exceptional. They are made using Tahitian and Marquesan tattoo designs so that each carved pearl is an unmatched creation. Dark colored gems can be carved to suit a clients wishes as pertains to size and shape and they can also be set on jewelry items like necklaces, bracelets, brooches and other pieces.

Dark gems are priced with reference to whether they are completely natural, meaning there are those single pearls in found in a little of 10,000 oysters or whether it is man-made or cultured, meaning a nucleus is put into an oyster to get the mother-of-pearl to form an oyster. The size also matters, with bigger ones fetching higher prices. Shape also counts with the perfectly round ones having higher value as opposed to those that are oddly shaped. Having an iridescent surface also matters as well as a surface that is completely smooth without spots and smudges.

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Early nineteenth century divers in the Tuamotu islands of French Polynesia spared no risk or danger when harvesting the huge back-lipped oyster known as Pinctada margaritifera. These oysters were found in large numbers over 40 metres under the surfaces of the lagoons and coral islands of that section of the South Pacific. The ultimate and rare prize for these divers was the discovery of black pearls, made exclusively by this species of oyster. They were valued at far more than their white or cream counterparts, and would later became products of pearl-culturing throughout that part of the ocean, where jewellers would produce striking innovations of carved black pearls.

With the absence of advanced science, their origins were explained by folklore and captivating tales. Some believed, like the ancient Chinese, that they were constructed in the brains of mighty dragons. Still others were told stories of the indigenous god, Oro, who came down to earth on a rainbow, and presented them as elaborate gifts.

Their actual outer surfaces, are not black in colour as their name suggests, but are a dark charcoal colour, with fantastical overtones of emerald, lilac and blue, which give them their iridescent quality. As with other types of pearls, when fine grains of sand or grit, enters the oyster’s shell lining, the mollusk produces a unique coating to protect its delicate inner parts from being damaged, which, over a period of years, is shaped and moulded to form these natural phenomenons. Their colour is a direct product of the shade of the oyster’s inner lining, or “nacre, ” which in the case of the Pinctada margaritifera, is of a dark mother-of-pearl colouring.

Due to their rarity, they could only be afforded by royalty, warranting it the title of, “Pearl of Queens, ” as seen in the famous example of Catherine the great’s 30 black pearl necklace. After their appearance on the necks of nobility, demand for them increased exponentially. Subsequently, many were broken during the experimental stages of jewellery-making where putting holes in their fragile frames could only be achieved by trial-and-error. These factors placed a troublesome strain on the marine resources of the Tuamotu islands.

By 1880, many Tuamotu lagoons were void of these oysters, leading to the development of cultured black pearl farms, the first one of which originated in the Hikueru atoll in 1963, under the supervision of frenchman, Jean-Marie Dormand.By 1982, a cultured-pearl industry of similar nature was being established in the Cook Islands and is now its biggest foreign export, generating around $10 million per annum.

The making of uniquely charcoal-coloured, pearl jewellery, plays a significant role in their continued cultivation. Grading methods, similar to those used to determine the value of white, south sea varieties, are also applicable with this variation of pearl and consider factors such as shape, size, luster, thickness of the nacre or outer coating and the colour. In terms of colour, the most valuable of these objects of natural phenomenon, have striking overtones of a peacock-green shade.

By-products of the culturing process are as much in demand as the perfectly rounded versions. Mother-of-pearl, the inner lining of the oyster is used to create pearlescent finishes for fine pieces of jewellery and interior decor worldwide. Baroque-shaped, Keshi pearls, resulting from the early rejection of the oyster’s grafted nucleus are used abundantly in elegant necklaces and bracelets. Half rounded types, or Mabe, are created by inserting semi-circular grafts in the inner lining of the oyster shell and are widely used in earrings and brooches.

Today’s black pearl jewellery-makers, etch intricate Polynesian motifs into their outer surfaces, which represent the indigenous and cherished traditions of spirituality and the veneration of nature. These carved black pearls are individually handcrafted, and are individually unique, unreplicated creations, in whose surfaces the legends of mystical French Polynesia live on.

You can find a wide selection of beautiful carved black pearls at Tahitian Designs.

Pearl jewelry has always been one the most popular and cherished gifts a woman can receive. The subtle glow, the incomparable feel of their weight in the palm of the hand, and their wonderfully silky texture all combine to make these organic gems an enduring favorite among male and female connoisseurs alike. They were the very first gemstones used as decoration and as symbols of wealth, prestige and power, a tradition that continues to this day.

While there is no set universal grading standard for pearls throughout the world, most reputable pearl dealers rely on the A-AAA grading scale, with “A” grade representing the commercial, non-jewelry quality, and AAA grades denoting the very best. The AAA quality pearl necklaces will feature very small blemishes that take up to less than 5% of each pearls’ total surface area- this is true of every single pearl within the necklace. The typical AA+ grade will feature no more than 10% blemishing, and so on.

These gorgeous pearls come from the black-lipped saltwater pearl oyster, P. margaritifera, many of which grow to the size of dinner plates! The pearls range in size from about 8.0mm up through a whopping 16.0mm, and spend about 24-36 months in the water before being harvested. The size range that Tahitian pearl stud earrings stay within the smaller range in order to make them more appropriate for every day wear. The most popular size Tahitian pearl earrings are: 8.0-9.0mm, 9.0-10.0mm and 10.0-11.0mm. Larger sizes are often worn as dangle earrings in order to prevent to much weight pulling the pearl forward from the lobe.

The pearls’ popularity throughout the centuries peaked in the early twentieth century. Pearls and their lustrous mother-of-pearl shells were used in countless ornaments and decorations, both by the ruling classes and the burgeoning bourgeoisie that strove to emulate the wealth they encountered. During the run up to that time, the world’s wild oyster banks were fished to near extinction. Harsh Sumptuary Laws were enacted to ensure that only the privileged few would be able to continue wearing natural pearls in public. However, as history has shown, the lust for the pearl far outstripped any kind of punishment actually owning them would incur.

The sheer variety of these gorgeous black Tahitian pearls has never in history been so easily affordable! The yearly harvests of Tahitian pearls for earrings, necklaces, pendants and rings in all qualities, sizes and colors of the pearly rainbow mean that pearl lovers everywhere have the unprecedented ability to choose for themselves the exact Tahitian pearl earrings of their dreams.

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For centuries, pearls have been incorporated into jewelry design. In many families, they are considered precious possessions. There are a plethora of types, colors and shapes from which to choose. They may also be produced naturally or cultivated without losing their value. Beyond all of these attributes, when seeking to make a purchase, it is wise to know the criteria for evaluating the quality of pearl necklaces.

As their name implies, freshwater pearls come from mussels located in freshwater bodies of water such as rivers or lakes. Most often, they are recognized for their irregular shape, although there are some that form into a smooth round sphere. White is the most common color, but there have been instances where pink, black and chocolate colors have formed as well. Well over 96% of all freshwater groups come from China.

The nacre is the outer lining. It is the major element in production, whether natural or cultivated. Nacre is produced by a host organism as protection against any foreign element that makes its way inside the shell, naturally or by insertion. As the organism produces thin layers of nacre over the irritant, a pearl is ultimately formed.

Known as cultured pearls, the natural process is employed, but under controlled settings in order to ensure greater production. Of several dozen natural shells harvested, there may only be one pearl. In cultivation, an irritant is deliberately placed into each shell to foster the building of the nacre. Different formulas have been developed to ensure smoothness, colors and luminosity.

Luminosity also referred to as luster, impacts quality and value. Depending on the type of host organism, they may also show iridescence. A good standard to follow is; the greater the luster, as well as the presence of iridescence, the higher the quality and value.

All of the main groups can be formed through a natural or cultivated process. The natural process involves only nature in the formation, then harvested by divers. The cultivated process is overseen in general by what is known as oyster farmers. Their natural habitat, be it fresh or salt water is replicated in a controlled setting and production is cultured by man.

The goal is a perfectly round shape. This should not preclude other shapes from being of good quality. Color is a matter of preference. It is the consistency of color throughout that should be judged. In Japan, pink is the color of choice, whereas white or cream is popular in other regions. These are considered the color for more formal attire. Colored pearls may also be valuable depending more on their availability than quality.

Necklaces come is various styles and designs, as well as different sizes. There are single, double and triple strands of varying lengths. Choosing which of the four primary groups of pearls to be used for pearl necklaces is a matter of personal preference and finances

Learn more about the four main groups of pearls used for pearl necklaces now in our comprehensive guide to exquisite akoya pearl necklace options.

Pearl jewelry catches attention because of its uncomplicated and serene elegance. It may seem like an oxymoron, but sometimes the simplest things are the ones that are the most attractive. A look at a simple pearl earring, a representative example of pearl jewelry, is enough to dispel all doubt. In fact, for many kinds of pearl jewelry, the operating principle is “the simpler the better.” At times a single pearl can even say much more than a dozen pearls all lined up. This is why some consider pearl jewelry to be even more beautiful than diamond, more valuable and timeless.

Pearls are formed when a foreign object, such as a grain of sand, becomes trapped in an oyster or mussel. The grain becomes coated with layers of a smooth, crystalline substance known as nacre. Over time this natural process produces the luminescent gem known as a pearl. Most pearls used in making pearl jewelry are cultured, meaning oysters are injected with irritants in order to induce nacre production. Finely-cultured pearls are rare, and they fetch an exorbitant price.

The mysterious glamour of natural South Sea pearls has prompted new combinations among necklaces of various colors and sizes. There is a growing demand for these pearls, as well as an increasing need to know more about pearls in general.Remember Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady”, and as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”? She wore such simple pearl jewelry, and yet they made her face shine. Pearls bring glamour to a woman’s face, catch the light and trap it in to create a very suffused glow not unlike a halo. Translucence is also a mystical quality of pearls, evoking mystery and sophistication in the wearer.

Due to its timeless elegance, pearl jewelry never falls out of fashion. They can be worn with almost anything; after all they serve to accentuate more the healthy color of the skin rather than the clothes a person wears. Decide on the size of the pearls that suit you based on your body type. For example, a choker necklace will look beautiful on someone with a long neck whereas a longer style such as an opera necklace will suit someone with a shorter, larger neck. Examine the pearls against your skin tone and hair color to make sure that the color and size of the pearls will compliment your sense of style.

Since pearls are available in so many sizes find out the reasons why smaller sized pearls may be more expensive than some of the larger ones. A small pearl with a very high luster and orient will be more valuable than their larger counterparts. Those two qualities, luster (meaning the inner radiance or glow reflecting light back outward) and orient (meaning its iridescence) are the most important qualities to consider when choosing pearls. The reason that these two qualities are so important is the following: Lustrousness (or lustre as some would refer to it) creates an optical illusion making subtle differences or imperfections less noticeable. A slightly off round pearl will look rounder because of the optical illusion created by its radiating glow.

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