Tahitian pearls, Part One: Dark delights
You'd think that, after nearly three years, we'd exhaust the world of pearls; mais non, cherie: Tahitians!Today and tomorrow, the pearls of Tahiti and French Polynesia, sizeable and sensuously coloured, from cream to palest dove grey to nearly black.
The photo of assorted Tahitians above is from the Winterson Journal, written by Winterson, London-based jewelers who specialize in pearls. Be sure to visit their site to see their glowing Tahitians here.
This is one of the pricey pearl varieties, and the pearl value factors (size, shape, surface, lustre, colour) are even more important.
Those oysters can grow as big as a frisbee, so their pearls are generous compared to akoyas and many freshwaters; 8-11mm is typical, with some vendors offering 12-14mm and above. An increase of only 1mm can mean a 100-200% increase in price.
Shown, rare near-round 16.9mm Tahitian pearl from Kojima Company, $835.
Those oysters can grow as big as a frisbee, so their pearls are generous compared to akoyas and many freshwaters; 8-11mm is typical, with some vendors offering 12-14mm and above. An increase of only 1mm can mean a 100-200% increase in price.Shown, rare near-round 16.9mm Tahitian pearl from Kojima Company, $835.
Tahitians with a deep, rich body colour are more valuable than paler pearls. The most prized is peacock, a rich dark teal colour with overtones that flash colours like magenta with shots of silver or gold. That is a stunning, showy pearl; an entire strand will be very, very precious.
When you hear the term "peacock", ask whether the jeweler is referring to the body of the pearl, the overtone (the play of colour over the surface of the pearl), or both. You might hear the overtone called "orient", the term used when the overtone appears as iridescent hues that move when the pearl is turned, like light catching the surface of a soap bubble.
Peacock body colour, which looks like blue-green melded with deep gray, is rarer than peacock overtone, which looks like blue-green tinged with silver or gold floating on top of the pearl (which could be any colour from cream to nearly jet black).
Here's the real deal, a vintage strand of Tiffany peacock Tahitians with intense magenta overtones from First Dibs seller Botier; price, $55,000.
Peacock body colour, which looks like blue-green melded with deep gray, is rarer than peacock overtone, which looks like blue-green tinged with silver or gold floating on top of the pearl (which could be any colour from cream to nearly jet black).
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| Tiffany peacock Tahitians with diamond rondelles |
Get your (Tahitian) colours done
This peacock business is not the be-all and end-all, though, as there are many other wondrous colourations. Here's a chart of various Tahitian colours, from Miriam Reed of Pearl Distributors. You can see why a quality Tahitian captivates.
This peacock business is not the be-all and end-all, though, as there are many other wondrous colourations. Here's a chart of various Tahitian colours, from Miriam Reed of Pearl Distributors. You can see why a quality Tahitian captivates.
The colour descriptions from top (Row 1) to bottom (Row 3), left to right:
Row 1: White with ivory/rosé overtones; silver; silver with aqua overtones; light blue grey with rosé overtones; pistachio
Row 2: Light gold; aqua; peacock; pewter with rosé overtones; copper
Row 3: Bronze with aubergine overtones; cherry brown; charcoal; dark green (almost green-black) with mostly green overtones and a bit of peacock overtone; dark green blue with green and silver overtones.
Which do you like best?
If you go for the darkest Tahitians, make sure there are noticeable overtones or orient on all the pearls or they will look like black beads, quite lifeless. Any pearl needs that breathing, shifting glow over its entire surface to earn your investment.
Ask if the colour is natural. Very dark strands (dark charcoal grey to black), copper or "chocolate" pearls are frequently dyed; more tomorrow on that matter. If there isn't a difference in overtones from pearl to pearl, that's another caution light. Too-uniform pearls are likely a dyed batch.
Multicolour necklaces are not as expensive as a matched-colour strand. These mixed strands may have pearls of various rare colours (grey flashing with an overtone of teal, for example) that are impossible to assemble for an entire necklace.
Multicolour necklaces are not as expensive as a matched-colour strand. These mixed strands may have pearls of various rare colours (grey flashing with an overtone of teal, for example) that are impossible to assemble for an entire necklace.
Blemishes
In this respect, pearls are like diamonds: the absence of any eye-visible flaw drives the price up enormously. Decide what you will accept. I don't mind occasional dents on some of the pearls, but reject pits or splotches.
Ringed or "circled" pearls are caused by an interruption in the pearl's growth. I think of them like red lipstick: some women adore it, others avoid. They will be far less costly than other varieties and, if you like circles, don't compromise on colour and lustre. Shown, bracelet of natural mixed colour Kamoka circle pearls; price, $950 from Kojima Company.
Ringed or "circled" pearls are caused by an interruption in the pearl's growth. I think of them like red lipstick: some women adore it, others avoid. They will be far less costly than other varieties and, if you like circles, don't compromise on colour and lustre. Shown, bracelet of natural mixed colour Kamoka circle pearls; price, $950 from Kojima Company.
Lustre
Tahitian's lustre varies from shiny, almost glassy, to subdued and soft. It's a matter of taste, but because so many costume pearls have that shiny-sharp lustre, I prefer a more subdued glow.
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| Beladora Tahitian ring |
Thank you for your kind attention; tomorrow, come back to admire more thrilling Tahitians and dive further into their fascinating depths.
Comments
AN: Your earrings sound beautiful. I think it's more a matter of preference than skin colour. I'm pale white-skinned, and love dove grey too. Also, it will depend on the overtones. There really are no rules.
I'll confess I like the ridged and irregular pearls. The irregularities add a bit of edge.
Pseu: There are circles and circles- more on that tomorrow.
Mardel: Some spectacular pearls, for sure. But perhaps a pendant, with one pearlof this quality, would be attainable. There is great pleasure in a single pearl.
I have one blue tahitian pearl on a gold wire we purchased in Bora Bora. It is a paler shade of blue than a deep "oil" blue the jewelers thought I was looking for, but it was exactly the color I wanted. We went through many pearls to find my baby. A wonderful remembrance of a restful place.
hostess: Me too!
LPC: We will train you up ;0
I wore my pale grey blister pearl earrings today and my darker grey pearl and sterling bead bracelet. I find I reach more and more for my more "interesting" pearls for day -- though mine are by no means as luxe as these lovelies.
Susan Tiner: See my label list for "pearls" for many more posts. This is "Passage des perles" for a reason!
s: Did you ever get those pearls restrung?
Rubi: Freshwaters come in pretty greys too, so you can indulge in darks without Tahitian prices. But fine Tahitians are remarkable. I'd ratehr have excellent CFWs than junky Tahitians, and there is a lot of T. junk out there.