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The South Pacific
Destination Guides:
Exclusive Resorts:
Cook Islands: Black Pearls
Shopping, for many, is an essential part of any holiday, especially when the holiday takes them to a faraway, exotic locale. Some travelers merely shop for souvenirs to take home to the family, but others immerse themselves in the unique products specific to the location to which they’re traveling.
In the Cook Islands, that unique product is the black pearl. Pearls of all types have long been valued by individuals from a variety of cultures but the black pearl has had a special meaning to those of the South Pacific. In the last few decades, the admiration for this extraordinary gem has grown and the pearl industry in the South Pacific has been thriving.
Manahiki and Penrhyn
The northern Cook Islands atolls of Manahiki and Penrhyn are at the center of the South Pacific black pearl industry.
Manihiki sits atop an underwater mountain that rises 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above the ocean floor, but like the majority of atolls, it sits only a few feet above sea level and is easily flooded during violent storms. It’s believed that the island has been populated by Polynesians for the last 500 years, and it is steeped in oral history and legends.
Similarly, Penrhyn is quite remote, but it is the largest of the atolls in the 15-island group. It’s ring of coral measures 77 kilometers (48 miles) around and the vast lagoon from which the pearl oysters are harvested covers 233 square kilometers (90 square miles), of which more than a fourth of that is covered with pearlshell.
Nature and Science = Black Pearls
Contrary to what many may believe, black pearls don’t just grow naturally inside an oyster. Producing them is a fine art for which technicians are paid up to a million dollars per year.
First, oysters are collected from the lagoons. The technician then places a nucleus (a tiny sphere of crushed Mississippi or Missouri freshwater clam, farmed for the purpose of producing pearls) in the oyster along with another object called a “mantle”, taken from a donor shell. Technically speaking, the mantle creates a pouch around the nucleus and throughout the course of the next two years or so, puts thousands of very thin layers of “nacre” – the mother-of-pearl coating – over it.
The oysters are lovingly tended during the growth period and, if all goes well, the result is a perfectly-shaped black pearl, varying in size from 8 to 12 millimeters, sometimes larger.
Choosing the Perfect Pearl
The Cook Islands Pearl Guild was organized in 1994 to establish comprehensive standards to ensure quality and to protect the industry. Purchasing black pearls from a member of the Guild assures you that you’ll be taking a quality product home with you. Look for a Cook Islands Pearl Guild sign in the window of the islands’ pearl dealers or ask to see certification before you make a purchase.
When choosing a set of pearls or any other pearl jewelry, remember that there are certain factors that help determine the value of the pearls themselves. Color doesn’t usually enter into the picture, but size, luster, shape, and surface perfection should all be taken into consideration. Large, reflective pearls with a round shape and no visible dents or scratches will be the most valuable, but what you choose will ultimately depend on your individual tastes.
Most pearl dealers are found on the main island of Rarotonga and vendors are eager to send you home with some of their treasures. Don’t be afraid to barter!