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It is a common
misconception that Tahitian black pearls are only cultivated in the waters surrounding
the French Polynesian island of Tahiti. As a matter of fact, the term "Tahitian
pearls" is simply a result of the pearls farmed in the area being associated
with the most well-known of those islands--Tahiti. In actuality, Tahitian pearls
are farmed throughout the waters of French Polynesia.
After Japanese scientists
discovered the process of farming cultured pearls in the mid-20th century, a
group of Japanese scientists were summoned to French Polynesia. They were asked
to figure out how the large black oysters known as Pinctada margaritifera
could be cultivated as well. Following the first successful harvest of
these oysters in mid-1960's, a new branch of the pearl industry bloomed.
The cultivation period of two to three years and the rarity of the Pinctada margaritifera
oysters complicate the production of these pearls. However, since these
oysters can be nucleated up to 4 times to produce pearls, the market of Tahitian
pearls has recently faced a supply flood.
Nippon
Taiyo carries all sizes and shapes of Tahitian pearls. As per color, we have
classified our varieties into the colors of dark black, gray, the green-tinted
shade, and the red/pink-tinted shade.
