Our Pearl Grading System
The black pearl has a mirror-like effect, the light reflects on the surface. Appreciating this orient requires an expert eye.
The Evaluation Of
TAHITIAN PEARLS
The black pearl has a mirror-like effect, the light reflects on the surface. Appreciating this orient requires an expert eye.
Tahitian pearls are considered to be among the finest gems in the world. In order to truly appreciate their beauty, it is necessary to understand the criteria that are as rigorous and precise as those to determine the quality of a beautiful diamond.
The orient and the luster
A high-quality pearl is composed of over a thousand fine layers of microscopic crystals of aragonite. They catch the play of light that seems to originate from the very depths of the pearl. This interplay of light is called the orient or iridescence. The luster is the reflection of light on the surface, and this is what gives the pearl its sheen.
PEARL COLOuR
Our black pearls have countless hues: black, grey, medium grey, lighter grey, yellow, brown,cherry and so on. There are five main undertones (or subsidiary colors): pink, green, pistachio, blue, and magenta. Some colors, like peacock green, are particularly sought after, but your taste should be the only arbiter of your choice.
PEARL SHAPE
Our black pearls come in many different shapes, such as the perfect sphere, the asymmetrical baroque pearl, the button, the pear, the teardrop, etc. Pearls that are perfectly round and symmetrical are extremely rare, and this enhances their value.
THE LEGENDS
the legendS OF PEARLS
Tahitian pearls are considered to be among the finest gems in the world. In order to truly appreciate their beauty, it is necessary to understand the criteria that are as rigorous and precise as those to determine the quality of a beautiful diamond.
Pearl Grading & Level Of Imperfection
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TOP GEM
pearl farming process
Spat collecting
The Pinctada Margaritifera Oyster lives naturally in the Polynesian
lagoons. Hermaphroditic, it releases both oocytes and spermatozoa into
the water at certain times of the year. Once fertilised, the eggs give
birth to larvae: the spat. These need to settle somewhere safe from
predators to grow, such as braided plastic wire supports that we use.
Breeding
Young oysters are removed from the wire supports and moved to underwater breeding stations. The oyster's growth is closely monitored to ensure they remain healthy and safe from natural predators such as fish, stingrays, and octopi.The secret to healthy oysters is to keep them clean by removing any shells, mollusks, and seaweed that continually attach themselves to an oyster's shell. Such parasites compete with the oyster for food, weigh them down, and prevent them from opening correctly to filter the sea water for nutrients. Regular cleaning is vital, a process undertaken three or four times a year, where the oysters are taken briefly from the water, carefully cleaned, and immediately returned to the breeding stations.After three long years, the oyster will have grown to a diameter of between 10-12 centimeters (4-5 inches), by which time they are ready for grafting.Grafting
Grafting for cultured pearls is a delicate process that mirrors the natural formation of pearls. It begins with the grafter skillfully and quickly introducing a small piece of tissue from a donor oyster's mantle into the oyster, alongside a spherical nucleus crafted from the shell of a freshwater mussel, specifically from the Mississippi River. The oyster, in an attempt to reject this foreign material, begins to form a pearl sac around the nucleus. This sac plays a crucial role in the development of the pearl, regularly secreting layers of pearl material that eventually form the cultured pearl. The quality of the resulting pearl is heavily influenced by the mantle tissue and the type of nucleus used. Research has shown that the best results come from using nuclei made from the shells of freshwater mussels found in the American Mississippi River.Culturing
It takes two full years for an oyster to produce a high-quality pearl, requiring dedicated care throughout this time. If harvested too early, the pearl's quality will be compromised, as it won't have developed the necessary layers and structure. The delicate pearl sac needs ample time to mature, ensuring the pearl's luster and durability. Rushing the process results in a lower-quality pearl, making the full two-year period essential for achieving the best possible outcome.Harvesting
A pearl harvest is the culmination of five years of meticulous work, requiring discipline and patience. During the harvest, grafters assess the results of their efforts from two years earlier, allowing them to evaluate and refine their techniques. If the harvested pearl is of high quality and the mother oyster is in good health, the grafter can immediately perform another graft by replacing the extracted pearl with a nucleus of similar size. This second graft no longer requires additional donor tissue, as the oyster is already primed for pearl formation. Each successful harvest not only validates the grafter's skill but also sets the stage for the next cycle of pearl cultivation, where precision and care remain paramount.pearl iridescence
what is pearl iridescence?
Like a Prism
At the pearl surface, interference of the different wavelengths causes iridescence. The transparent films of aragonite generate wavelength interference. This means that the eye sees several different colors simultaneously, producing the vibrating sensation known as iridescence.
Light passing through a transparent prism breaks down into six colors visible to the human eye. The prism systematically breaks down the different wavelengths of white light in the same way, resulting in the perception of six distinct colors. Learn more.
