Tahitian Pearl

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June Birthstone

Tahitian pearls, grown around Tahiti and French Polynesia, display a shimmering orient or overtone that is green, blue, pink or violet in color. These orient colors are in striking contrast to their silver to black body color and are sometimes given specific names (e.g., deep green is called fly wing; peacock is used for the combination of green and pink; eggplant is a dark toned body color combined with pink).

Tahitian Pearl Polished
Tahitian Pearl Classification
Common Name Tahitian Pearl
Species Pearl
Tahitian Pearl Optical Properties
Transparency Translucent - Opaque
Refractive Index 1.530-1.685
Birefringence 0.155
Optic Character NA
Optic Sign NA
Polariscope Reaction Aggregate (AGG)
Fluorescence SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable
Pleochroism None
Tahitian Pearl Characteristic Physical Properties
Hardness 2.5-4
Specific Gravity 2.720-2.780
Toughness Good
Inclusions Tahitian pearls have Intense luster and iridescent surface. If the pearl is drilled you can inspect the hole to look for bead nucleus.
Luster Dull, Metallic
Stability Poor
Fracture Uneven
Cleavage None
Tahitian Pearl Chemistry & Crystallography
Chemical Name calcium carbonate + conchiolin and water
Chemical Formula CaCO3
Crystal System NA
Chemistry Classification Organic

Tahitian Pearl Colors

  • Black Tahitian Pearl Black
  • Yellow Tahitian Pearl Yellow
  • Purple Tahitian Pearl Purple
  • Pink Tahitian Pearl Pink
  • Green Tahitian Pearl Green
  • Gray Tahitian Pearl Gray
  • Brown Tahitian Pearl Brown
  • Blue Tahitian Pearl Blue

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; United States of America (the); China; Australia; French Polynesia

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Tim Matthews

Tim Matthews is President and Chief Executive Officer of Jewelry Television® (JTV), as well as a member of the company's Board of Directors. He oversees and leads all aspects of the company's powerful omni-digital retail platform that uniquely specializes in fine jewelry and gemstones. His passion for business and gemstones has led him to become a recognized expert in the field of gemology. He is a life member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) and has earned Gem-A's highest degrees, the Gemmology (FGA) and Diamond (DGA) diplomas. He is also a Graduate Gemologist (GG) of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and has also completed GIA's Graduate Diplomas in Diamonds, Colored Stones and Pearls. Under his leadership, JTV has become the leader in the sourcing and selling of color gemstones and jewelry.

This page was created on June 27, 2014.

This page was last edited on October 24, 2019.