The origin of Tahitian pearls

Tahitian pearls are found in a range of colors from eggplant to deep green. Tahitian pearls are gaining popularity among the jewelry market and the customers, but may many people do not know the origin of the Tahitian pearls. Here will be a briefly introduction on the origin.
There is a misconception among people that Tahitian pearls are cultivated in Tahitian. The farms of the Tahitian pearls are, in fact, scattered throughout French Polynesia and to a lesser extent, the Micronesian Islands. Tahitian pearl farming can trace its origins to the 1960’s and specifically to Jean-Marie Domard. He was responsible for marine resources in the area, undertook in-depth research of pearl cultivation and became the father of cultured black pearl farming. Following in the tradition of the Mikimoto cultured pearl techniques, he began experimenting with the Pinctada margaritifera using Japanese culturing techniques. In 1961, he arranged through the French Polynesian government to bring a Japanese pearl oyster technician to Tahiti. The first culturing experiments took place in the lagoons of the atoll of Hikueru and Bora Bora, islands of French Polynesia. After a few years of failed attempts, in 1965 Domard successfully harvested approximately 1000 high quality Tahitian pearls. This harvest was the result of nucleating 5000 oysters and waiting for 3 years.
Today, the atolls of French Polynesia—coral crowns in the middle of a great ocean—continue to provide the perfect nutritious, pristine environment necessary for Tahitian pearl cultivation. Tahitian pearls have recently caught the eyes of many jewelry lovers who were looking for pearls other than classic white. These pearls are valued as queen of pearls. Therefore, Tahitian pearls have become one of the most sought-after gems in the world.