Some pearl background

Before getting into the different grades, the buyer should know some background on our pearls. The Tahitian government imposes a minimum nacre thickness on all pearls exported. You can be sure that your pearl has at least .8mm on its nucleus. Tahitian pearls are known world wide for the integrity of their nacre thickness. If it doesn't have .8mm when x-rayed it is ground into powder by a scary little machine outside of the Service de Perliculture x-ray room.