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Tahitian Cultured Pearls

Tahitian cultured pearls are valuable elements which are used for production of the most sophisticated pearl jewelry.





Tahitian cultured pearls originate from natural pearls, they are known as black pears or Tahitian pearls. They are found in French Polynesia in the south Pacific and they are described as a secret treasure of turquoise waters in lagoons of coral reefs. From the ancient times they had the reputation of rare and precious, they were often chosen a symbol of royal power and strength. The outer, natural parts of cultured pearls have concentric growth rings, similar to horn and calcium carbonate. However, in contrast to natural pearls, cultured ones are stimulated by people throughout the insertion of a nucleus to the inside of a mollusk and go through a series of changes. Modern techniques of pearl breeding have displaced the old ones which were less effective and destructive for the population of shelled mollusk which had been searched by divers. It was only in 1976 when the Department of Fisheries got officially involved in the project which concentrates on providing protection for population of mollusk and creating special enclaves in lagoons.

Black mollusk found in French Polynesia lives in symbiosis with corals on which they grow. In a particular part of the year mollusks produce spawn which is fertilized in water. Such cells of young mollusk, called spat, transported through sea waters get caught by interceptors - special screens immersed 3-5 meters below the water surface. The most favorable time involves weather breaks or changes of season e.g. beginning of the summer which usually takes place in the early December. Young mollusk grows in such underwater surrounding for about 3 years. The breeding colony is being monitored, taken care properly and cleaned. After that time, mollusks are taken out of the water and a small whole is created in their shells. Again, they are inserted back to sea water where they wait about a year for the next human interference. Actually, this is a moment when the exact process of breeding begins. A pearl is formed in a gonad of the mollusk, in the fleshy mantle of the host mussel. It produces a substance which creates a shell build from the layers of thin rings of calcium carbonate. The first stage involves choosing the tissue of the mantel of one mollusk which is inserted to the host mussel - they are specially selected, in good health and condition. This important process is often called transplanting or grafting. Pliers and a stand are used so as to graft a nucleus with tissue part (usually around 6-8 mm of diameter) into a mollusk. After a delicate grafting is finished mussels go back to water for the next 18-24 months. This is the time when the exact pearl grows around the nucleus. This is a critical period for both the mollusk and a breeding colony because the weakest specimen may die. When the period of growth finishes the pearls are taken out of the mollusk. Afterwards, pearls are categorized, packed and sent onto the market. Agents and representatives sell pearls in the whole world. In addition to that, auctions of the most intriguing pearls are organized in Tahiti three times a year (March, June and October).

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