black pearl

Rare dark jewel

A black pearl is a rare pearl with dark coloration, typically gray, green, or blue-black, produced primarily by black-lipped oysters in the waters around Tahiti and French Polynesia.

Unlike white pearls, their unusual color makes them particularly valuable in jewelry.

The term sometimes appears figuratively to describe something rare and precious that stands out from conventional examples: She was the black pearl of the collection.

Related

Tahiti · elegance · rarity · mystery · iridescence · baroque · uniqueness · South Pacific · mollusk · ocean floor · deep sea · French Polynesia · beauty · gemology · treasure · orient · auction · exoticism

Categories
Opposites
pearl color/type

black pearlpink pearl

Brand of rubber eraser

freshwater pearl · imitation pearl · cultured pearl

Family

black, pearl

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G