Tahitian pearls -- natural, or dyed?

[ennui]

I always believed that Tahitians were natural color. Certainly, they are the only natural black pearl, from the black-lipped oyster.

However, poking around online, I've seen a few sites that say their Tahitians are dyed. I appreciate that they are disclosing this information, but is that true? Dyed, how? Maybe irradiated for color enhancement?

These "dyed" listings are not cheap, they are still around $5,000.

Anyone have the scoop?

 

[cmd2014]

The only dyed Tahitians that I am aware of are the chocolate ones. Is that what you mean? (Might help if you could give more info about where you've seen the dyed ones, as I've never seen dyed ones except the chocolate ones, which are bleached and dyed and labeled accordingly.)

Edit: see this link: http://www.shecypearljewelry.com/pearl-article.php?action=viewdetail&articleId=6

And this one: http://www.gia.edu/gia-faq-chocolate-pearls

And this: http://www.mauidivers.com/chocolate-tahitian-pearl-education

 

[Pearlescence]

Yes, we need some specific links to be able to say what's going on. I've only ever encountered dyed chocolate ones and they aren't a patch on the rare natural chocolates.
Of course black tahitians are not black anyway. The nearest you'd get would be a dark bottle green. I wonder why they got called black in the first place when they aren't..?

 

[ennui]

I went back to find them again, and I think I misunderstood the description. It's a mix of SS and Tahitians, and I think "dyed" refers to the SS. "Dyed South Sea & Tahitian Cultured Pearl Necklace in 14k Gold (9-12 mm)."

It's on the Kohl's website. There are three choices, and interestingly, they were marked down overnight.

 

[cmd2014]

That's weird. I think they do mean that the Tahitians are dyed, because there's a Tahitian only strand that they say is also dyed. Go figure.

http://mobile.kohls.com/product/prd...in-14k-white-gold-8-95-mm.jsp?isFromSrch=true

Dunno.