What to Look for in Black Pearls? Expert Tips Before You Buy

Understanding What Makes Black Pearls Special

Black pearls aren't just dyed versions of white pearls — nope, not even close. These gems are naturally formed, most commonly by the black-lipped oyster (Pinctada margaritifera), and are primarily found in places like Tahiti and French Polynesia.

What sets them apart? That mysterious, deep hue ranging from charcoal to greenish to purplish-black. Sometimes, they even flash rainbow colors — that's when things get really interesting.

Let’s break down what to actually pay attention to when you’re pearl shopping. Spoiler: It’s not just about the price tag.

Luster: The Soul of the Pearl

Why luster is more important than color

Luster refers to how shiny the pearl is — how much light it reflects and how sharp the reflection is. In black pearls, a high luster gives them that almost mirror-like, glowing-from-within look. When you tilt it in the light and it winks back at you? That's the one.

Low luster pearls look chalky or dull. Like, you’ll know it when you see it. Trust your eyes here — if it doesn’t catch your breath a little, move on.

Tip from the trade

Hold it under natural light (not just boutique lighting), and look at the reflection. If you can vaguely see your face? That’s high luster.

Surface Quality: No Pearl Is Perfect (But Still…)

Blemishes are common, but there’s a limit

Black pearls often have small surface marks — they're natural, and sometimes they even add character. But too many pits, spots, or lines? That can devalue the pearl fast. A clean surface, or at least one where imperfections are subtle or on the back side, is ideal.

I once saw a strand in Papeete that looked gorgeous... until I turned it slightly. There were pits like it had been attacked by mini meteorites. Still pretty, but not $1,500 pretty.

Color and Overtone: Not All Blacks Are Equal

Understanding body color vs overtone

The body color is the main color you see — it could be black, gray, silver, even deep green. But the overtone is where things get juicy: it’s that iridescent layer that shimmers on top. Peacock (a mix of green, purple, and pink) is one of the most sought-after overtones.

Not all black pearls are truly “black.” Some are more slate or eggplant. The rarest? Those with a strong peacock overtone on a dark body — basically, the unicorns of the pearl world.

Color preference is personal

Some people love cool steel tones. Others want that green-blue peacock fire. There’s no wrong answer — but always check color under natural daylight, not warm indoor lights (which can totally fake you out).

Shape: Round is Rare (and Pricey)

Perfectly round black pearls are rare and fetch top dollar. Baroque shapes (asymmetrical, often artsy) are much more common — and honestly, they can be stunning.

If you’re into organic and unique? Go for baroque. If you want that classic, ultra-symmetric elegance? Be prepared to pay more for a round strand.

Fun fact: even in high-end strands labeled “round,” maybe only 60-70% are truly round if you measure them precisely.

Size: Bigger Can Be Better… But Not Always

Black pearls tend to range from 8mm to 16mm, with anything over 12mm considered large. Bigger often means more dramatic and more expensive. But here’s the twist: size isn’t everything.

A smaller pearl with killer luster and color will outshine a big dull one any day. So don’t just get hypnotized by millimeters.

Wrapping It Up: What to Really Focus On

Here’s the real talk. When you’re choosing a black pearl, pay attention to:

• Luster — it’s the make-or-break factor.

• Surface — clean is nice, but a little character is okay.

• Color & overtone — trust your gut, not just the label.

• Shape & size — know your style (and your budget).

And finally — go slow. Try a few, compare them side by side. The right one will speak to you. Or at least wink.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.