Tahitian baroque pearl pendant “Mahana”

Description

Sumptuous pendant from the 60s in 18 carat gold, set with an imposing Tahitian pearl forming a pear of about 6 carats. Anthracite grey with a pink and green orient, this natural pearl is held in place by a mobile gold bail. A feminine jewel full of subtle contrasts.
Pearl dimensions: 1.2cm x 1cm
Pendant length with bail: 1.8cm
Weight: 2.74g
This unique piece had a previous life in Polynesia.

The story: Taking its name from the tropical island of French Polynesia, the Tahitian pearl (Pinctada margaritifera) is undoubtedly the most coveted of all pearls. However, it was not until 1845 that Europeans discovered it. This success can be explained first of all by the marked contrast between its grey or black base colour and its silver or iridescent orient (i.e. its reflections). In addition, the time it takes to form a pearl contributes to its preciousness since it usually takes 4 to 5 years to form a Tahitian pearl.