A Brief History of Pearls: Surface of Tahitian Pearls

SURFACE OF TAHITIAN PEARLS

Surface quality is an important factor when experts value any pearl. In a Tahitian pearl, blemishes are often readily apparent because of their unusual colors and lusters.



What is Surface Quality in Tahitian Pearls?

In Tahitian pearls, like other pearls, surface quality refers to how smooth the layers of nacre are.

Surface quality spans the entire spectrum from "Clean" to "Heavily blemished." Naturally, better surface quality equates to a more valuable pearl.

High quality Tahitian pearls may be virtually free from flaws. However, because the cultivation period is so long - it typically takes between 2 and 3 years to cultivate one of these rare, beautiful gems - natural flaws are fairly common.

Some of the most common flaws in Tahitian pearls include:

• Spots
• Bumps
• Pits
• Wrinkles
• Rings

Many Tahitian pearls possess surface imperfections that enhance their beauty and allure. However, heavily blemished pearls are not worth nearly as much as their cleaner counterparts are.