Why are Poemotu Tahitian pearls so different?

TAHITIAN PEARLS TRILOGY PENDANT

Geothermal Endo-upwelling

Researchers from the Tahiti ORSTOM unit have explored this phenomenon, which may partly explain why in some lagoons, particularly in the Tuamotu, where the Poemotu Tahitian Pearls originate from, natural conditions seem more favourable to the colours of Tahitian Pearls produced by the nacre Pinctada Margaritifera. The geothermal endo-upwelling is a process by which capillarity and density differences allow water loaded with metallic salts and trace elements to enrich the water of Polynesian lagoons, thus creating optimal conditions for pearl farming.

This scientific discovery sheds light on how the metallic salts, trace elements, and mineral salts, beneficial to underwater flora and fauna, ascend through capillarity, across the coral layers present in the lagoons, thanks to cold waters infiltrating the basaltic bed due to the pressure from great depths (below 1000 metres). These cold waters rise to the surface, warming up through contact with basalt and acquiring trace elements along the way from the atoll walls.

Let us recall that precious and semi-precious stones derive their colours from their components such as copper, manganese, iron, among others; thus, both underground and in the underwater world, nature unites to form the most beautiful jewels!

Béatrice Brothier, passionate gemologist

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