Why are black pearls so valuable?
Black pearls, also known as Tahitian black pearls, are only formed naturally in the black-lipped oyster that lives in the Tahitian and Cook island waters in French Polynesia in the South Pacific.SignificanceCostello’s Australian Jewelers notes that most cultured black pearls have been dyed black; only Tahitian black pearls are naturally black in color. It is the Tahitian pearls’ rarity that makes them so valuable.ColorPearlsofJoy.com indicates that true black pearls come in variety of colors including black, gray, silver, green, blue and purple. Pearls containing several colors on the same individual pearl are more valuable.Pearl SelectionGenerally speaking, pearls with a greater luster and larger size are more valuable than smaller pearls; sizes range from eight to 20 mm.PriceAccording to Costello’s Australian Jewelers, prices range from $100 and $10,000 for a single black pearl. The Travel with a Challenge website states that a first-class necklace can cost up to $50,000.Identificati