Tahitian pearl exporters can voluntarily have their pearls x-rayed now, for the price of 100xpf (70p GBP/ 95c USD) per pearl, but it is not compulsory. Exporters must still take their pearls to the govt export office where their export documents detailing symmetric, asymmetric baroque and circlés, and how many pearls in each category are grade A B C and D in each size are scrutinised.
Plus quantity and quality for each shape and size.
Inspection is now a matter of checking the paperwork and counting pearls in each category. Once this is done a permit is issued and the pearls go to the customs office for payment of export tax..then off they go!
I'm exhausted just writing this!
But no compulsory x ray.