What is the difference between a Tahitian pearl and other pearls?
The Tahitian pearl comes from a large oyster (200 to 400 mm, or 8 to 16 inches) called the Pinctada margaritifera. It grows only in warm waters endowed with unique biological characteristics. These oysters are distinctly different from those that produce “white” pearls. The largest concentration of these oysters is found in the Gambier and Tuamotu archipelagos. The resulting pearls are large generally 10.5 to 11 mm and feature colors ranging from light gray to deep black, with overtones of peacock green, aubergine purple, blue, rose, or gold. The white or Akoya pearl is made by the Pinctada fucata, a small oyster (about 130 mm, or 5 inches) that is easy to farm and lives primarily in Japan and in China. It produces a small white pearl about 6 to 9 mm in diameter. Currently, most Akoya pearls over 7 mm are cultured in Japan. China has become the major producer for Akoya pearls less than 7 mm in size. The South Seas pearl comes from the Pinctada maxima, which produces large light-colored
