Friday 21 December 2018
This initiative offers a chance to rediscover mother-of-pearl, often called the "black gold of the atolls," through vintage postcards depicting this fundamental Polynesian activity.
Mother-of-pearl played a vital role across the Eastern Pacific, serving not only as material for tools and ceremonial ornaments but also for crafting body adornments. Pearls extracted from pearl oysters were transformed into pendants and other valuable objects. The significance of pearl shell fishing became evident from the first encounters between islanders and Europeans, revealing ancestral expertise that has endured through centuries.
A report from 1863 provides a glimpse into the lives of Polynesian divers of that era, highlighting their remarkable agility and diving techniques. These divers—primarily from local families—could reach impressive depths of 25 to 30 meters in the Tuamotu lagoons to retrieve oysters, which were then consumed or sold to traders. This knowledge was passed down through generations, fostering a symbiotic relationship with the ocean.
By the 19th century, South Seas trade flourished, with mother-of-pearl standing alongside whale oil, copra, and fruit as prized commodities. As early as 1820, Polynesian mother-of-pearl was sought after in major European cities, where it was crafted into diverse objects like fans, jewelry boxes, dice, dominoes, and buttons—all in high demand.
Pearl oyster harvesting in Polynesian lagoons evolved rapidly, with fishermen increasingly specializing in collecting large specimens. Tuamotu divers gained worldwide recognition for their skill in gathering oysters from sometimes extreme depths. However, intensive exploitation by traffickers and pearl companies—lasting until the 1950s—depleted natural resources in some of the richest areas.
The introduction of diving suits in the 1880s and the first diving goggles in 1908 modernized fishing techniques. The required diving depths to extract shells from coral beds gradually increased, making pearl shell fishing ever more technical and complex. Polynesia's richest deposits were identified and exploited on a large scale starting in the 1850s, marking a turning point in the region's pearl cultivation history.
Wednesday 12 December 2018
The Pearl Oyster: A 550-Million-Year-Old Legacy
Oysters, members of the vast mollusk family, share a common ancestor with worms, snails, and octopuses. Some 550 million years ago—long before the Cambrian explosion—the first nacre-producing bivalves appeared, giving rise to over 8,000 bivalve species, 2,800 of which can produce pearls. The Pinctada margaritifera, or black-lipped oyster, is the iconic species of Polynesian waters. Found across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, it yields pearls ranging from white-gray to black, with Polynesia’s cumingii variety producing unique iridescent black pearls.
From Traditional Harvest to Overexploitation
Ancient Polynesians used mother-of-pearl and pearls for ceremonial and artisanal objects. However, with the arrival of Europeans, demand for mother-of-pearl surged, opening new markets. Traditional diving-based harvesting was initially sustainable, but by the 19th century, organized overexploitation had depleted shallow-water oyster populations. Mother-of-pearl became a prized commodity, used for buttons and fashion accessories.
Pearl Farms of Polynesia: From Experiment to Billion-Dollar Industry
By the 1950s, overfishing threatened wild oysters, prompting the establishment of an experimental pearl farm in Hikueru in 1961—marking the birth of pearl aquaculture in Polynesia. Under the leadership of Jean-Marie Domard and with the expertise of a Japanese grafter, the experiment succeeded, revealing Tahitian pearls' immense potential. This breakthrough led to private farms, propelling Polynesia into a thriving industry.
The 1980s saw explosive growth, with pearl exports exceeding 10 billion CFP francs by 1990. Yet a decade-long crisis—driven by overproduction and declining quality—tested the industry. Strict regulations and patience eventually spurred its revival. Today, despite fluctuations, pearl farming remains French Polynesia’s second-largest source of foreign revenue.
The Empire of Robert Wan
In 1974, Robert Wan entered the pearl industry by acquiring Tahiti Perles. He became the world’s largest producer and exporter of black pearls, elevating Polynesia onto the global luxury stage. Though the 1998 market crash forced a pause, his eventual comeback solidified his status as a titan of the pearl trade.
From humble beginnings to its current brilliance, the Tahitian pearl remains an inseparable gem in French Polynesia’s history and economy—a legacy as enduring as the ocean that nurtures it.
