The Black Pearl of Polynesia

With beauty to gaze at for many years to come, a black pearl may be the prettiest souvenir of French Polynesia a traveller can buy. At Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, the memories of obtaining one are added to the joy of owning one. 

The excursion begins with a private plane or helicopter ride to a black pearl farm, where guests will learn about the history of cultured pearls and why the islands around Tahiti are the best place in the world for them.They’ll meet pinctada margaritifera itself – the bivalve nacre (commonly known as an oyster) that layers up to 1,000 coats of aragonite on to a tiny piece of matter that has been implanted inside it, resulting in the depth of beauty associated with Tahitian black pearls.

Guests can pick out one or more pearls, and the Resort’s jeweller gets to work on creating a custom setting. Later, the pearls are delivered to the guests’ over-water bungalows, ready for a starring role in the evening’s ensemble, and to be admired by friends and family at home.