Cook Islands Black Pearls | Cook Islands Pearl Industry | Pearl Creation | Pearls Buyer's Guide | Shape | Size | Lustre | Surface | Colour | Pearl Grading
Cook Islands Natural Gold Pearl | Buying Tips | Pearl Care | Paka's Pearls

The following Buyer's Guide contains all the information you require when buying Black Pearls. Due to the large amount of information and for ease of navigation we have provided shortcuts to the sections contained below.

COOK ISLANDS BLACK PEARLS
From time immemorial, pearls have symbolised love, happiness and good fortune. Legends tell of the mystical birth of pearls from the sea, which is astonishingly close to reality. Today, the black pearl is considered the most magical and feminine of jewels; the passion it excites is as fiery as love; it’s power is the beauty of the eternal. It is a gift of magic and perfection from the Cook Islands.

COOK ISLANDS PEARL INDUSTRY
The harvesting of pearl shell in Cook Islands lagoons has been occurring since the early 1900s. Pearl shell traders would visit the Northern Group of the Cook Islands to purchase shells that would be sold in Europe and Asia for buttons and other purposes. While there have been some pearl farming experiments conducted since the 1960s, the first commercial pearl farming started in 1989 on Manihiki and in 1994 on Tongareva, two atolls in the Northern Group of the Cook Islands. The production of Cook Islands pearls has also steadily increased to become the country’s number one export totalling NZD $4 million annually to overseas markets including Japan, USA, Australia, and New Zealand.

PEARL CREATION
The process of raising the black-lipped pearl oyster (pinctada margaritifera) is a long one and requires considerable care and attention for the species is very fragile. When the oyster reaches seeding size (usually a minimum of 4 inches) it is ready for seeding, a process which stimulates the secretion of nacre and the eventual formation of a pearl. This is achieved by implanting a spherical nucleus and a piece of mantle (meat tissue from another oyster) into the sack of the shell. The oyster either covers the nucleus, which it considers to be an irritant, with thousands of layers of nacre, or it rejects it altogether. After 2 years, the pearl is carefully removed and, depending on the condition of the sack and shell, another nucleus is inserted for a future harvest. Out of every 100 pearls produced, usually only 2 or 3 are perfect specimens. Although the process sounds simple, the delicate nature of this species of mollusk and the long hard work required ensures that only the most dedicated farmer succeeds.

PEARL BUYER'S GUIDE
While looking at black pearls, the first thought to consider is their wide variety of shapes (round to baroque), sizes (8mm to 12+mm), and colours (a rainbow palette of blue, green, rose, yellow, silver, and white). In fact, black pearls are rarely black and receive their name not from their colour, but from the species of oyster that produces them, the black-lipped pearl oyster. This extensive selection allows the client the greatest virtue: the ability to select a pearl according to your individual choice. While there are several elements to pearl quality, at the end of the day always select a pearl according to your own personal desire and taste. Another aspect to consider before buying a pearl is the type of jewellery that you desire. Are you interested in a pendant, ring, earring, bracelet, necklace, etc.? Once you have decided on the type of jewellery, one can begin browsing for a finished piece or for a suitable pearl that can be custom designed. When evaluating pearls, one must consider the five criteria that determines quality: shape, size, lustre, surface, and colour. Pearl prices are always a function of these five characteristics.

SHAPE
The round, or perfectly spherical pearl is the most sought after and is the most difficult to produce. Generally speaking, the closer the pearl is to being round, the more expensive it becomes. However, there are many other shapes which all have their charm as well so always purchase a pearl that is most attractive to your individual tastes. The shapes are classified as follows:

SIZE
This is measured at the smallest diameter of the pearl which usually range from 8mm to 12mm. Some pearls reach 16mm and very exceptionally 18mm or more. As the size of the pearl increases, so do the prices.

LUSTRE
The lustre of a pearl refers to the appearance of its surface, and is judged by its brilliance and ability to reflect light. On Cook Islands pearls, this can produce a mirror-like effect. Pearls also display orient or surface iridescence.

SURFACE
The surface quality is judged by the position and number of blemishes such as dents, scratches and stains which all reduce the value of the pearl.

COLOUR
Cook Islands pearls present a whole palette of colours. The most prized include peacock green, aubergine purple, marine blue, or any other rare colours. Other colours include white, silver, gold, bronze, and rose. However, one should always purchase a pearl colour that each individual finds most attractive.

PEARL GRADING: A, B & C GRADES Taking into account the 5 elements of pearl quality as described above, pearls are then graded into categories of A, B& C. This grading primarily relies on the pearls surface, lustre, and colour. The grades are as follows: A Grade - pearls of excellent quality, comprising no surface blemishes or at most some imperfections that are confined to a very small part of it’s surface. They always have very good lustre. B Grade - pearls with a few surface defects exhibiting good or average lustre. C Grade - pearls showing several defects with good to average lustre.

COOK ISLANDS NATURAL GOLD PEARL
Throughout the world, 99.9% of all pearls produced are cultured (farmed). However, the Cook Islands is blessed with one island that produces completely natural pearls from the island of Tongareva in the Northern Group. Divers search the lagoon for the gold oyster (Pinctada maculata), bring them up to the surface, and then open them to hopefully find a pearl. They are known locally as pipi (meaning "tiny" in the Cook Islands language) pearls and usually range between 3-6mm. The colours of these pearls are generally white, cream, and gold of which the gold pearls command the highest price. The pearls are evaluated using the same criteria as the black pearls.

BUYING TIPS
Always purchase a pearl that you find appealing to your own personal tastes regarding shape, size, and colour; Always purchase quality within your budget; Always purchase from a knowledgeable salesperson; It is recommended that a client select a pearl with good lustre; Pearl jewellery design ranges from the haute couture to simple and elegant; Men’s designs include rings, pendants, tie clips, and cufflinks; It is recommended that all pearl purchases should be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

PEARL CARE
Black pearls are the only jewel in the world that is produced by a living organism, the black lipped oyster of Polynesia. The pearl is made of 91% calcium carbonate, 6% organic materials, 2% water, and 1% mineral salts. As with any fine jewellery, one must be delicate while handling pearls. The following is a guideline to pearl care: Pearls can scratch so be sure to protect them from direct contact with the rest of your jewellery and other hard objects that could mar or scratch them. Separate them in your jewellery box; Do not use chemicals on or around yours pearls such as hair sprays, perfumes, detergents, cosmetics, and chlorine. Acidic compounds can cause a slow but damaging erosion to the lustre of the pearl; To clean your pearl, mix a solution of water and mild dishsoap in a small bowl. Agitate the water with a soft toothbrush and lightly scrub the setting and pearl. Rinse with fresh water and dry it with a soft cloth. Then take a cotton swab or Q-tip and apply some olive oil to the skin of the pearl. This enhances the pearl’s luster; Pearls also contain protein and water, so do not store pearls in air tight containers as they are subject to dehydration and cracking. It is advisable to moisten them from time to time; Do not be shy to wear your pearl in various settings. Pearls love to be worn so enjoy them.

PAKAS PEARLS
Pakas Pearls offers a broad range of pearl jewellery, loose pearls, pearl shell jewellery, bags, and souvenirs. We also display the rare line of natural gold pearls (poe pipi) from the Cook Islands, and custom design jewellery to our clients specifications. Moreover, our staff take the time to explain every facet of the pearl industry to customers including history, the islands, pearl farming, pearl quality, and pearl care. We take pride in offering top quality products at reasonable prices.