Tahitian South Sea Pearls

In olden times, in Tahiti, the pearl was considered as an emanation from the gods, and more especially from the god Oro, king of the firmament. He was said to have come down to earth by means of his rainbow.  The iridescent colors of the pearl certainly resemble the hues of the rainbow.

The Black Pearl represents the Polynesian Islands; magical and alluring where mystery and fascination take place.

For our jewelry we handpick pearls at Pearl-and Gemstone Trade Shows, or buy pearls from specialized pearl dealers.

We guarantee quality and genuineness of pearls used in our jewelry

Size:       The size averages between 8 and 11 mm and in certain cases between

                11 and 15 mm.  The size of the pearl depends on the size of its             

                  nucleus and  on the thickness of the nacreous layer around it. 

Shape:     Pearl shapes can be classified as follows:

    Round          The round shape is the most value-          able pearl shape.

    Semi-round  Slightly imperfect spheres.    

    Pear             The teardrop or pear shape comes                    to a beautiful symmetrical point                 and enhances the neckline.

    Button          One surface is half-spherical, the              other may be flat.

    Baroque       Irregular in shape, but also very

                         interesting and attractive.

    Circled         Parallel circles of the pearl; very               unique.

    Keshi            All-nacre baroque pearls produced           by accidental natural inclusions in          the process of culturing a pearl.

    Mabé pearl   The mabé is an assembled pearl

                         produced by placing a hemisphere-

                         shaped piece of plastic against the   side of the shell interior.  The oys-        ter then produces a nacre coating        over the plastic.  The resulting         “pearl” is cut from the shell, and               the plastic removed. The remaining

                         hollow nacre blister is then filled,     and backed with a piece of mother            of  pearl.

Orient:        The shimmering, iridescent play-of-color seen on or just below the surface of the pearl, resulting from the interplay of light within the microscopic crystals produced in the nacre.

Color:          Some notable shades of color are: Black with green, purple or aubergine, bluish, golden. Copper, silver and steel gray and even off-white.

Luster:        The luster of the pearl refers to the  shine reflecting from the surface of the pearl.

Cleanliness: This term refers to the smoothness and perfection of the skin of the pearl. Based on the occurrence of beauty marks or blemishes (spots, pimples, cracks or discoloration) on the surface, the pearls are graded.

Caring for Pearls

• Store Pearls in a separate pouch to prevent scratching the pearl’s surface on sharp metal edges or against stones.

•  Avoid contact with these substances: vinegar, ammonia (i.e. glass cleaner), chlorine (swimming pools), inks, hairspray, perfumes and cosmetics.  These substances will spot or disintegrate the pearl’s surface.

•  Wipe gently with a hot damp towel before putting pearls away to remove body oils and perspiration, which are particularly harmful to a pearl’s color.

•  Periodically wipe pearls with a soft cloth in warm water, using a mild soap (not a detergent).  Dry them with a kitchen towel.

Never use jewelry cleaners containing ammonia.

•  Avoid ultrasonic cleaners.  They can damage some pearls, especially if the nacre is thin or if there are any surface cracks.

•  Avoid storing pearls in excessively dry places.  Pearls like moist environments; an excessively dry environment can cause the nacre of the pearls to crack.

•  Have pearls restrung periodically. If they are worn frequently, once a year is recommended.