Black Pearl Farms

The black pearl farms are the economic heartbeat of Mangareva. The deep, sheltered waters of the Gambier lagoon are ideal for oyster cultivation, and the island produces some of the most prized black pearls in the world — deeper in colour and more lustrous than pearls from many other Pacific locations. Most of Mangareva's families are involved in pearl farming in some capacity.

Several farm operators offer visits, either by boat through the oyster lines or by arrangement ashore. You can see the grafting process, examine the different grades of pearl, and buy directly from producers at substantially lower prices than in Papeete or in Europe. Ask at your accommodation — most guesthouses can arrange a farm visit as part of a day on the water.

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A story
Mangareva's black pearls come from Pinctada margaritifera — the black-lipped oyster — which is grafted with a nucleus and a graft piece from another oyster's mantle. The process takes 18–24 months, and the pearl's colour depends on the specific genetic expression of the individual oyster rather than any external treatment. No two Mangareva pearls are exactly alike, which is what makes them prized. The Gambier lagoon's nutrient-rich waters produce pearls with particularly deep, lustrous colours.

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