Are Tahitian pearl sizes shrinking?

[CTD]

I think all pearls are precious, but Tahitians are my absolute favorite due to the vast color range. Give me a large baroque or drop pearl full of color and character and I'm all in!

It used to be very common for me to find pearl offerings in the 12-14mm size range. Now it's more common for me to see 8-9mm range. For example, I think this harvest strand from Kamoka is spectacular! I love the colors and shapes, but the pearls seem rather small to me, with the largest at 9.7mm. Former offerings of their harvest strands typically had a fair number of larger sized pearls. I'm not isolating Kamoka - I truly love their pearls and have many, just citing it as an example of offering smaller sized pearls.

Is it my perspective that pearl sizes seem smaller or is there something going on in the market?

 

[pattye]

CTD, it is a good question and you might want to ask Kamoka if they have changed their focus.
The smaller sizes you mention would be first harvest pearls, which are known for high luster and fewer blemishes. If the oysters are healthy, a nucleus the size of the harvested pearl is inserted to grow a second larger pearl. Kamoka creates only with pearls harvested from their own farm, not lots or temporary matched strands purchased from pearl auctions, which makes their offerings unique!
Some farmers have used even smaller nucleus to appeal to those who enjoy even smaller Tahitians.

 

[ennui]

is there something going on in the market?

I think so. We're in a phase where small, petite pearls seem to be in demand.

In my opinion, it's also price point. Smaller pearls tend to be more affordable. If Kamoka focused on large (expensive) pearls they might end up stuck with a lot of inventory.

 

[MintyFresh]

I have been contemplating that little harvest strand. It is adorable . . but then again there's some nice keshis out there (like at J. Hunter Pearls though also on the smaller end of the spectrum). Google AI says that the super El Niño is going to drive up pearl prices in the coming months - negatively affecting pearl quality, availability and, yes, size. But not quite yet, right? In case anyone on this site needs an excuse to buy more pearls.

 

[ennui]

Another thought, it could be that smaller pearls are better quality, as far as luster and blemishes.

the super El Niño is going to drive up pearl prices in the coming months

Any excuse will do, I suppose. Pearl prices keep going up!

 

[BWeaves]

I first heard of tiny Tahitians when Alex Collins got wiped out and had to start over with all baby oysters. So, he cultured tiny Tahitians until the oysters got big enough to grow the larger sizes. It turned out that the smaller pearls were more lustrous and colorful than the larger pearls, and people went nuts for them. I think Kamoka is culturing smaller pearls now for the same reason. Plus, once that small pearl is harvested, a larger nucleus can be inserted for growing the 2nd generation larger pearl.

 

[MintyFresh]

I first heard of tiny Tahitians when Alex Collins got wiped out and had to start over with all baby oysters. So, he cultured tiny Tahitians until the oysters got big enough to grow the larger sizes. It turned out that the smaller pearls were more lustrous and colorful than the larger pearls, and people went nuts for them. I think Kamoka is culturing smaller pearls now for the same reason. Plus, once that small pearl is harvested, a larger nucleus can be inserted for growing the 2nd generation larger pearl.

This makes a lot of sense to me. I, for one, am not very tall. Despite their allure, big pearls can look overwhelming on smaller people.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

My most lustrous and colorful Tahitian pearls are the smaller ones.

 

[MintyFresh]

My most lustrous and colorful Tahitian pearls are the smaller ones.

Ok, now I wanna see, please! If you don’t mind that is.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Ok, now I wanna see, please! If you don’t mind that is.

The first strand is baroque pearls from Rikitea, 8.2-11.3mm. The luster is high, probably the highest luster of any of my non-white pearls.

The second is the one we bought from PP for our daughter's 21st birthday, but she didn't want them (!)
So my husband wears them. He loves them. They are 8.0-9.7mm.

PP photo under studio lights (which bring out the overtones) and on his neck:

 

[MintyFresh]

Thank you for sharing! Those are both gorgeous! The rikitea strand especially so. So glad to see your husband wears the PP strand. I recently asked mine if he would wear pearls (though after being together 20 years I already knew the answer) but he said no. Too bad because I think he’d look great in some jewel-toned Tahitians. Maybe I could convince him with a leather bracelet with a single pearl . . .

 

[CTD]

CTD, it is a good question and you might want to ask Kamoka if they have changed their focus.
The smaller sizes you mention would be first harvest pearls, which are known for high luster and fewer blemishes. If the oysters are healthy, a nucleus the size of the harvested pearl is inserted to grow a second larger pearl. Kamoka creates only with pearls harvested from their own farm, not lots or temporary matched strands purchased from pearl auctions, which makes their offerings unique!
Some farmers have used even smaller nucleus to appeal to those who enjoy even smaller Tahitians.

I used Kamoka as an example of what I've been seeing lately, which is smaller pearl offerings. Without a doubt, they have remarkable pearls. Just seem like they are trending smaller (at least to me).

 

[CTD]

I think so. We're in a phase where small, petite pearls seem to be in demand.

In my opinion, it's also price point. Smaller pearls tend to be more affordable. If Kamoka focused on large (expensive) pearls they might end up stuck with a lot of inventory.

Very possible.

Pearl prices do seem to be on a upswing, especially if set in solid gold. I've also noticed more offerings in sterling, gold filled and silicone earring backs to keep costs down.

 

[CTD]

I have been contemplating that little harvest strand. It is adorable . . but then again there's some nice keshis out there (like at J. Hunter Pearls though also on the smaller end of the spectrum). Google AI says that the super El Niño is going to drive up pearl prices in the coming months - negatively affecting pearl quality, availability and, yes, size. But not quite yet, right? In case anyone on this site needs an excuse to buy more pearls.

That stand was a total standout - the colors, the shapes, the way it's put together - so , so lovely. I went to look again and it's gone. It's been replaced by a similar strand, which is also beautiful, but I don't think it carries the same color punch.

I've been wondering if water temps and the super El Nino would have an impact.

 

[CTD]

Another thought, it could be that smaller pearls are better quality, as far as luster and blemishes.

Any excuse will do, I suppose. Pearl prices keep going up!

Yes! Smaller pearls are more colorful and lustrous, but t doesn't mean that can't be found in larger pearls if you look hard and long enough

 

[CTD]

I first heard of tiny Tahitians when Alex Collins got wiped out and had to start over with all baby oysters. So, he cultured tiny Tahitians until the oysters got big enough to grow the larger sizes. It turned out that the smaller pearls were more lustrous and colorful than the larger pearls, and people went nuts for them. I think Kamoka is culturing smaller pearls now for the same reason. Plus, once that small pearl is harvested, a larger nucleus can be inserted for growing the 2nd generation larger pearl.

I'm sure a larger nucleus costs considerably more, so perhaps in addition to keeping costs down, smaller Tahitians seem to be trending, IMO.

I missed my chance to get a small multicolor Tahitian necklace from PP around the beginning of the year It was quite beautiful at around 8-10mm or so, and if memory serves, reasonably priced and part of the Assael collection. I'm sure whoever purchased it, is beyond happy.

 

[CTD]

The first strand is baroque pearls from Rikitea, 8.2-11.3mm. The luster is high, probably the highest luster of any of my non-white pearls.

View attachment 480846

The second is the one we bought from PP for our daughter's 21st birthday, but she didn't want them (!)
So my husband wears them. He loves them. They are 8.0-9.7mm.

PP photo under studio lights (which bring out the overtones) and on his neck:

View attachment 480847

View attachment 480848

Wow! Wow! Wow! Magnificent strands!