Tahitian Black Pearls
Tahitian Black Pearl is found in the South Seas, especially in French Polynesia in a Mother of pearl called "Pinctada margaritifera".
The natural pearl is rare, the ancient Polynesian opened 15,000 mother of pearl to find one natural pearl which is the end reaction to the accidental introduction of a foreign body into the flesh such as sand.
In 1961, Jean-Marie Dormand, who was responsible for marine resources, arranged through the French Polynesian government of cultured black pearl farming. there, to bring a Japanese pearl oyster technician to Tahiti..
Employing Japanese techniques and technicians as the Australians did to make white pearls, French Polynesia first grafting experiments were done in 1963 in the lagoon of Bora Bora.
It was takes 18 months until harvest.
In 1965, The first harvest was succeed and 1,000 black pearls was produced.
A frenchman, Jean-Marie Dormand, who was responsible for marine resources in the area, undertook in-depth research of pearl cultivation and became the father of cultured black pearl farming.
Jacques and Hubert Rosenthal started the first privately owned black pearl farm on Manihi atoll in 1966.
It was takes 6 years, export first Tahitian black pearls exporting price less than $4,000 in 1972.
The mid-1970'd marked the beginning of the rapid growth in the interest of Tahitian black pearls.
Large number of cultured black pearl farming was begun Marutea Sud and Mangareva island.
Mangareva island was started by Robert Wan who is now the the largest producer of black pearls, producing over 60%.
Since then they have spread over a thousand miles throughout the island chain, supported and encouraged by the government's export promotion authority, Perles de T'ahiti Gie, black pearl advertising initially paid off.
Tahitian black pearls come in so many shades of gray, black, and greenish black, Matching pearls for necklaces is difficult and time consuming.
In 1996 Tahitian black pearl farms were shipping $152 million worth of black pearls.
Due to heavy advertising, demand for black pearls once rose five to ten percent annually.
This success caused black pearl farmers in the Cook Islands and other South Sea atolls to increase production, which precipitated a serious drop in wholesale prices.
This overproduction and a decline in pearl quality and economic downturns in Japan, other Asian countries, and the U.S.A resulted in dangerous price drops.
Recently, French Polynesian government lead Tahitian black pearl industry, to keep height quality and proper price.
In 2002, government start to educate local black pearl oyster technician in Tahiti.
Wholesale prices on some sizes and qualities fell in 2001 to a seventh of their former value, alarmed by the implications, the Tahitian government instituted export licenses and pearl inspections starting in September 2001.
By early 2002 prices had recovered 17 percent.
Tahiti now requires a minimum 0.8mm nacre thickness on all exported pearls.
The Cook Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, and several Polynesian islands could become significant black pearl producers.
The need now is to stabilize both market and product so buyers can enjoy, the great dramatic price.
Black Pearl history Chronology
1961: Jean-Marie Dormand bring a Japanese pearl oyster technician.
1963: The graft The first grafting experiments were done in the lagoon of Bora Bora and Hikueru.
1966: Jacques and Hubert Rosenthal started the first privately owned black pearl farm on Manihi atoll.
1972: First Tahitian black pearls export oversea.
1970's: Tahitian Black pearls industry start to growth.
1980's Cook Islands start Cultured Black Pearl
1996: Tahitian black pearl farms were shipping $152 million worth of black pearls.
2002: start to educate local black pearl oyster technician