Pure Pearls Glossary
Tahitian Pearl
A naturally dark saltwater pearl from the black-lipped oyster of French Polynesia. Grey to near-black, with green, aubergine or peacock overtones.
Tahitian pearls are the only commercially farmed pearls that are dark without treatment. The colour comes from the black-lipped oyster's own shell lining.
What people pay for is the overtone. A plain grey Tahitian is ordinary. One that flashes green and rose over a dark body, the combination the trade calls peacock, is not.
Sizes usually run 8mm to 14mm, so they sit between Akoya and the largest South Sea pearls.
What you will hear
“Any black pearl is a Tahitian pearl.”
In fact: Most black pearls in the market are dyed freshwater pearls. They are perfectly good jewellery, but they are a different product at a different price.
When you are buying
A dyed black freshwater pearl and a Tahitian pearl look similar in a photograph and differ enormously in price. Dyed pearls tend towards flat, uniform blackness. A genuine Tahitian shifts colour as you turn it.
Black and Tahitian pearls
38 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹400.
Pearl finger ring in black pearl for women
Classic Black Pearl Studs with 925 Silver Stem
Bold Black & Brown Baroque Pearls Bracelet
Traditional South Indian Pearl Jhumkas in Black Onyx Stones
Unique Abalone Mother of Pearl Heart Shaped Pendant With A Filigree Clasp
Starry Black Pearl Round Brooch With American Diamonds
Classic Black Pearl Bangles
Subtle Multishaded Oval Pearls 17 Inch Necklace With Swan 925 Silver Pendant
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South Sea Pearl
The largest commercially grown pearl, from the gold-lipped or silver-lipped oyster. Typically 9mm to 16mm, white to deep gold.
Overtone
A translucent secondary colour lying over a pearl's main body colour — most often rose, silver or green.
Peacock
A dark pearl showing green, blue and rose flashes over a near-black body. The most prized colour effect in dark pearls.
Dyed Pearl
A real pearl whose colour has been added after harvest. Standard practice, and entirely fine when it is disclosed.
Not sure what you are being sold?
Paste any pearl description — another shop’s listing, a message from a jeweller, an old certificate — and we will break it down term by term.