--- title: Hikueru, the atoll where it all began description: We offer for sale rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and any other jewellery set with genuine designer black pearls. url: https://www.poemotu.com/en/tahitian-pearls-jewels-en/the-tahiti-pearl-in-all-its-forms.html --- # Hikueru, the atoll where it all began Hikueru, the atoll where it all began ## 27 avril 2023 **The HIKUERU Atoll** In an effort to find new markets for the nacre production primarily aimed at button-making, but threatened by competition from polyester buttons, in 1956 the Territory of **French Polynesia** decided to fund a pearl [**cultivation trial**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/22-chokers "tahitian pearl necklaces") in the Atoll of **Hikueru** with an investment of 10 million Fcfp. The experiment began in August 1961, under the supervision of Jean-Marie Domard, who arrived in the Territory in 1957, having been recruited as the head of the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Service. With a background in veterinary science, he attempted grafting, but without success. After challenging discussions, he secured the services of a Japanese grafter, Churoku Muroi, operating at an Australian pearl farm, the Pearls Proprietary Ltd, on Thursday Island in Queensland, to graft a few thousand shells during his holidays, despite Muroi's scepticism. The Japanese were referring to the experience of Kokichi Mikimoto on the island of Iskigaki, where pintadines, [**Pinctada Margaritifera**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/ "tahitian pearl jewellery") acclimatised and produced, between 1926 and 1940, 104,456 [Cultured Pearls](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/22-chokers "tahitian pearl necklaces"), but all of them were baroque (lacking any axis of symmetry and not suitable for [jewellery mounting)](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/ "tahitian pearl jewellery"). The experiment undertaken by Domard was crucial as the goal was to determine the feasibility of spherical culture in [**Pinctada Margaritifera Cumingii**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/ "tahitian pearl jewellery"). In December 1963, all the pearl oysters operated on in Hikueru were harvested, and of the 276 Pearls obtained, representing 33.5% production (many were rejected during the post-grafting period), 235 were presented to various Japanese experts at the office of Nippon Pearls in Tokyo, in March 1964. Surprised by the colours and qualities of the [**Pearls**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/ "tahitian pearl jewellery"), the experts concluded that "[**Tahiti Pearls seemed likely to be promoted to the rank of high-class jewellery**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/ "online sales of tahitian pearl jewellery")". However, the "Pearl makers" would need to muster considerable patience and wait nearly 15 more years before the [**black pearl**](https://www.poemotu.com/perles-de-tahiti/fr/22-chokers "tahitian pearl necklaces") was appreciated at its true value and adopted by high **jewellery**. Article under the direction of Marcel le Pennec, Doctor of Natural Sciences in Biological Oceanography. [**Béatrice Brothier,**](https://www.poemotu.com/societe-poemotu/beatrice-brothier-creatrice-passionnee.html "béatrice brothier") passionate gemmologist   [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/9e/ou%20trouve%20ton%20les%20plus%20belles%20perles%20de%20Tahiti%20-9e2f6425.png) 15 June 2026 ### Where Can You Find the Most Beautiful Tahitian Pearls? Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/where-find-best-tahiti-pearls) [![Offer a Pearl, Offer an Island: 5 Reasons to Choose a Tahitian Pearl for Christmas](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/ba/5-raisons-de-choisir-une-perle-de-tahiti-pour-noel--ba80b311.png) 07 August 2025 ### Offer a Pearl, Offer an Island: 5 Reasons to Choose a Tahitian Pearl for Christmas Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/gift-a-pearl-gift-an-island-5-reasons-to-choose-a-tahiti-pearl-for-christmas) [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/31/idees-pour-faire-un-noel-tahitien-311cf955.png) 07 August 2025 ### Christmas in the Islands: When Pearls Replace Snow Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/island-christmas-pearls-instead-of-snow) [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/15/heiva-i-tahiti-danse-tahitienne-15bb0bbd.png) 23 July 2025 ### Heiva i Tahiti: the soul of Polynesia in dance, music, and tradition Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/heiva-tahiti-polynesian-spirit-dance-music-tradition) [![](https://www.poemotu.com/media/yootheme/cache/27/perle-tahiti-bracelet-homme-27cdab4b.png) 23 June 2025 ### Why Do Men Wear Tahitian Pearl Bracelets? Read the article](https://www.poemotu.com/en/blog-tahitian-pearls-poemotu-en/why-men-wear-tahiti-pearl-bracelets)