Exotic Tahitian pearls, large, dark beauties, are treasured for their rarity and their intriguing, precious colors and lustre. The most beautiful Tahitian pearls are celebrated for their iridescent, vibrant, almost metallic colors, unique among saltwater cultured pearls. Though commonly called "black" pearls, Tahitian pearls are actually gray, to lighter or darker degrees. And uniquely, Tahitian pearls can display an array of colors all at the same time, shimmering about their surfaces in varying shades - colors such as Peacock, Eggplant - or Aubergine, Pistachio, Sage, Purple, Mauve, Blue and Magenta. The most highly prized Tahitian pearls are those of the iridescent peacock and cobalt blue colors, followed by the rainbows, pistachio greens, silver grays, and deep purple blacks.

What makes these elegant fine hues? This warm saltwater bathing beauty naturally ranges across the central and south Pacific, but its main homes are in the great atolls and remote lagoons of French Polynesia, a pearl lover's true paradise. Each area of ocean water carries trace minerals that affect the oyster's coating of the pearls. And each individual oyster will coat its pearl uniquely, too. It's the alchemy of elements and nature's mystery.

Alluring and highly sought after, the Tahitian or 'Black Pearl' is every woman's ultimate exotic pearl dream and the intense envy of all European royalty. Catherine the Great of Russia wore a necklace of 30 black natural pearls. The Austrian crown of the same epoch was set with 30 black pearls. The French Empress Eugénie, the consort of Napoleon III, was given a trophy necklace of large brilliant black pearls. And the Russian Crown jewels included a necklace with a black pearl centerpiece that was called the great 'Azra'. No one pearl conjures up such magic, allure and excitement. Its exotic nature coupled with its majestic colors creates a pearl of unsurpassed beauty.

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