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Multi-Color Black Tahitian Cultured Pearl Necklace with 14k Yellow Gold Diamond-Cut Bead Clasp (9-10mm), 17"

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Multi-color black Tahitian pearls add glamour and allure to any outfit. This luxurious 17-inch strand showcases 9-10mm Tahitian cultured pearls, individually knotted on matching silk cord. The pearls have a very high luster and are well-matched for shape and size. A fancy diamond-cut ball clasp, in radiant 14 karat yellow gold, finishes this beautiful necklace. Pair it with a formal cocktail dress, a crisp collared shirt, or business attire; its versatility will delight you. The silvery iridescent colors blend beautifully with both gold and silver jewelry metals.

Tahitian pearls are found in colors that range from nearly black to pale silvery-gray and display a rich metallic sheen that can reveal deep shades of green, blue, and eggplant. This remarkable pearl derives its unique color from its cultivation inside the black-lipped variety of the Pinctata maxima oyster. These large oysters--up to a foot in diameter--are farmed on the volcanic atolls of Tahiti, where warm, nutrient-rich ocean waters create ideal environmental conditions for their growth. The oysters are pampered in the warm lagoons, and the pearls are kept inside them for long periods of time, allowing them to grow to their impressive size and develop multiple layers of lustrous nacre for a radiant glow. Because of their sensitivity to the cultivation process, few of these oysters survive to produce pearls, which explains why Tahitian pearls are so rare and valuable.

About Tahitian Cultured Pearls

The natural black color of the Tahitian pearl comes from the black-lipped variety of the pinctada maxima oyster. These oysters are farmed on the volcanic atolls of Tahiti, where the mixture of nutrient-rich ocean water mixes with warm lagoons creating an ideal environment for them--and the only place where Tahitian pearls can be found. Like the South Sea pearl oyster, the black lipped pinctada maxima is sensitive to the cultivation process, making the Tahitian pearl rare and expensive. Though they are, on average, slightly smaller than the South Sea pearl, Tahitian pearls are larger than Akoyas and their black color adds a dramatic touch.

Cultivation
Pearls are produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. When these animals sense an irritant, such as a grain of sand, they produce a soft coating of calcium carbonate substance around it. The result is a pearl. Because perfectly round, naturally produced pearls are so rare, a process known as cultivation was developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in the early 1900s. A small bead of polished shell, the nucleus, is used as an irritant and delicately inserted into the mantle of a mollusk. It takes approximately 20-24 months of intensive husbandry to cultivate a saltwater pearl and somewhat less time to cultivate freshwater pearls. The harvest usually takes place during the months of June and September.

Color
Mollusks produce pearls in a variety of colors, accommodating most personal preferences and budgets. The general color of a pearl is also known as the body color. Pearls typically range from white, cream, and yellow to pink, silver, or black. An overtone of secondary color is sometimes seen. For instance, a pearl may appear to be white, but upon closer inspection a rosy hue is detected. The body color would then be termed white-rosé. Color variation does not affect the quality of the pearl, though it should be noted that color matching is important when choosing pearls for some necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. In fashion jewelry, pearls can sometimes be dyed to achieve the desired color, which should be mentioned in the product description or specifications.

Lustre
The appealing, deep shine of a pearl is often what defines its beauty. This shine is produced by multiple layers of semi-opaque calcium carbonate crystals, called nacre. The nacre reflects light on the surface of the pearl, producing brilliance and sheen. Lustre is an integral feature in determining the quality of a pearl. Large pearls have a thicker nacre and, therefore, a higher lustre. When comparing a small Freshwater pearl to a large South Sea pearl, the difference is clearly visible to the untrained eye and should be considered when purchasing pearls.

Shape
While pearls come in many different shapes, the rarest and highest-quality are round. Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea oysters tend to produce the roundest pearls, while those of Freshwater mollusks can be oval to slightly off-round. When considering a pearl purchase, whether it be a necklace, bracelet, or earrings, look for consistency in the shapes of the pearls. Many of the less symmetrical shapes are used in stylish jewelry which can be quite beautiful: the drop pearl’s shape lends well to earrings, and the baroque pearl features irregular shapes that work well as necklace accents. In addition, a half sphere pearl called a “mabe” is often used in earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Size
An oyster’s particular type and size has a direct effect on how large the pearl it produces will be, and pearls do come in a wide range of sizes. Round pearls are measured according to their diameter, while baroque pearls are measured by their length and width. A pearl’s size does not necessarily affect its quality, but it does affect its price. Large, round pearls are rare and their lustre is usually high--this beautiful combination of traits is often reflected in the cost of such pearls.

Average pearl sizes (in diameter):

Akoya: 6-8mm

Freshwater: 5-6.5mm

South sea: 11-13mm

Tahitian: 11-12mm

Surface Markings
Often when an oyster creates a pearl, the nacre does not develop smoothly. The surface of a pearl is judged by how many marks are visible in the nacre. These imperfections can be small and unnoticeable or quite large and distinct. Like diamonds, pearls are rarely flawless. However, high lustre or the way pearls are strung and set can help conceal surface markings.

Care
Proper care of pearls is not difficult if you remember that they are organic and produced by a living thing. Pearls are soft and delicate, but when cared for with common sense, they will maintain their lustre for centuries. The pearls should not come in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water, or other harsh chemicals. To keep them clean, let them be the last item put on when dressing, and the first item taken off at the end of an evening. The best way to maintain their lustre is to wear the pearls often, and wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward--pearls absorb the oils from skin, which helps keep them moist. Pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or jewelry bag, separated from other jewelry to prevent nicks or chipping. Periodically, pearl strands should be restrung since the silk thread used to tie the pearls together breaks down over time.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002IFSUTI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,894 in Jewelry (See Top 100 in Jewelry)