Magically Carved Black Pearls – The Pride Of The Southern Seas
During the earlier years of the nineteenth century, Polynesian divers would dive to lengths exceeding 40 metres, to harvest the over-sized back-lipped oysters called Pinctada margaritifera. These oysters were found in droves along the lagoon-beds and coral reefs of the French Polynesian, Tuamotu islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The rarity of discovering the black pearls which originate from these oysters through natural means has been augmented by their scientific culturing and the expanding market for beautifully ornate carved black pearls.
The history of these pearls is shrouded in mystery and legend due to their rarity and exceptional beauty. Poetic illustrations include the ancient Chinese belief that they are conjured up in the brains of mighty dragons. Polynesian folklore tells of Oro, the god of war and peace who travelled to earth upon a magnificent rainbow to present mankind with this majestic oyster.
They are not pure black as their name suggests, but are of a dark-grey hue with iridescent shades of green, blue and purple, resembling the inner lining of the oyster. Due to the dark, “nacre, ” or inner mother-of-pearl lining, the back-lipped oyster produces pearls which are enveloped by shadowy, dark outer coatings with alluringly pearlescent lustre.
Due to their rarity, this opulent pearl was only fit for kings and queens, thus affording it the title of, “Queen of Pearls.” One of the most famous examples of these royal pieces was a necklace of 30 of these charcoal-coloured pearls worn by Catherine the great of Russia. The increasing royal demand during these years, placed great strain on the marine resources of the lagoons from which they were harvested, along with the constant trial-and-error methods made by jewellers to pierce their fragile surfaces, which broke many of them before they could be strung.
By 1880, the natural resources had been exhausted, leading to the necessity of cultured black pearl farming. The first of these farms was established on the atoll of Hikueru, under the supervision of frenchman, Jean-Marie Dormand. Later, the Cook Islands would follow this innovation and become the second biggest exporter, of the pearls, warranting up to $10 Million in national income.
The making of uniquely charcoal-coloured, pearl jewellery, plays a significant role in their continued cultivation. Grading methods, similar to those used to determine the value of white, south sea varieties, are also applicable with this variation of pearl and consider factors such as shape, size, luster, thickness of the nacre or outer coating and the colour. In terms of colour, the most valuable of these objects of natural phenomenon, have striking overtones of a peacock-green shade.
By-products of the culturing process are as much in demand as the perfectly rounded versions. Mother-of-pearl, the inner lining of the oyster is used to create pearlescent finishes for fine pieces of jewellery and interior decor worldwide. Baroque-shaped, Keshi pearls, resulting from the early rejection of the oyster’s grafted nucleus are used abundantly in elegant necklaces and bracelets. Half rounded types, or Mabe, are created by inserting semi-circular grafts in the inner lining of the oyster shell and are widely used in earrings and brooches.
Today, these pearls are ornately embellished with Polynesian motifs, which have deep and meaningful natural and spiritual representations. Their unique embossments create final products which are unique and without possible replications. Carved black pearls are exquisite in their design intricacies and are specially handcrafted to embody the many legends and ancient allusions to the magic and mystique of the French Polynesian lagoons.