Tahiti Pearl Market, Papeete

The Tahiti Pearl Market is just outside the Municipal Market Hall in Papeete, situated at 23 Colette Street. The lower level is more like a gallery than a shop. On the upper floor is where the real shopping experience is. Market guides escort visitors to the upper floor to show them around and to show the variety, quality, color, luster, and shape of available pearls.

What makes any type of pearl unique? The range of prices and the experience is thorough. When the combination of pearl factors is decided upon, the guide picks out a likely container and dumps its content on a tabletop. Shopper and guide sort through the pile and select the desired pearls. The selected pearls are drilled and set on site.

The vendor may be expected to provide information on the pearls to be selected. Information should include where the pearls were cultured. Pearl culture is carefully monitored in Polynesia. The size, shape, and grade of pearls are to be mentioned on the authenticity certificate.