A Brief History of Pearls: Color of Tahitian Pearls

COLOR OF TAHITIAN PEARLS

Perhaps the most exotic of all cultured pearls, Tahitian pearls come in a beautiful array of colors. They're well-known around the world for their iridescent, vibrant and almost metallic colors. These pearls are truly unique.

Tahitian Black Pearls Aren't Really Black

Although they're commonly called "black pearls," Tahitian pearls are actually various shades of gray. In addition to being gray, they have the distinct ability to refract light in spectacular ways to create a number of breathtaking colors.

The most highly prized Tahitian pearls are those with iridescent peacock and cobalt blue colors. In addition to peacock pearls, rainbows, grays and golds are also incredibly popular.

Tahitian Pearl Colors

Because Tahitian pearls have a distinct way of refracting and reflecting light, they're able to display a veritable rainbow of colors, including:

• Peacock
• Green
• Black-green
• Dark green
• Eggplant
• Blue
• Gray
• Parchment
• Lemon
• Golden orange

Further, these colors display in a variety of intensities and shades. This is largely due to the thick, strong nacre coating the nucleus of Tahitian pearls. Shop at American Pearl to find jewelry made with peacock pearls, eggplant pearls and other shades of "black" Tahitian pearls.