Can a Tahitian pearl be 7.2+ mm?

[Designerbrenda]

I purchased several Tahitian pearls from a reputable dealer at a gem show open only to people in the industry. The pearls were indicated as Tahitian. However, some are 7.2 mm - 9mm. Is it possible that a genuine, untreated 7.2 mm could be Tahitian? The luster is beautiful and color varies slightly from pearl to pearl.

 

[GemGeek]

If they used 5.4mm implants, they certainly are possible. More likely, they were from 6mm implants and illegally exported or grown outside of French Polynesia. They need a minimum of .8 nacre thickness to export legally. That would add 1.6mm to the thickness of the bead size.

9mm Tahitian pearls are common. The smaller pearls are first graft and usually have the best color and luster. This generally degrades as the animals age and are re-implanted with larger beads, although there are exceptions.

 

[Fabio]

A lot of pearls leave French Polinesia without having passed Xray … expecially through HK …

 

[Katbran]

I'm glad you brought this up as I was looking at some very pretty Tahitians on a very well regarded Ebay store and then noticed that they were 6-8mm ... I'd never seen them sold so small!

 

[pattye]

Wish Josh of Kamoka Pearls would weigh in here~

 

[W. de Marsangy]

The 1st size for a Tahitian Black Pearl is 7mm

 

[pearlescence]

Under 6 are indeed possible. Very hard to find these days because everyone wants to grow big big big. I'm sometimes asked for them as replacements in older jewellery.
The nacre depth requirement/x-ray law has been scrapped now

 

[ericw]

Unfortunatly, rules have changed since july 17 (country law N° 2017-16). Now, tahitian pearls farmers can sell pearls with less than 0.8mm nacre thick. In order to work their own will, they can ask a legal expertise certificate (toll-free for them) to certify nacre is 0.8mm thick or more, but that's all

 

[Katbran]

At the show in HK the 'new' tiny ones went very quickly apparently. Cees said the little 5-6 strands were gone in the first hour leaving the 'larger' 5-7 available for a short time. I asked what size bead they are using .. obviously its smaller than 5 .. but couldn't find anyone who knew the answer. Jeremy might know. Your pearls are lovely - gorgeous lustre !

 

[ericw]

Just I have carved the first tahitian pearl I find with less than 0.8mm thick nacre: a disaster... What a sadness, to see how everything's quality is becoming lower, even in such prestigious scopes