Polynesian mythology cities Tahitian pearls as the first cases of light, which were given by the Creator to Tane, God of Harmony and Beauty. This latter illuminated the vault of heaven with their light, and their forms and brightness inspired him to create the stars. Tane then brought them to rua Hatu, God of the Ocean in order for him to lighten his domain. Oro tutelary divinity of war and peace, working for Tane, entrusted human women who he coveted to conceive his descendants, with the first pearls, as love token. As the achievement of his work, he gave Te ufi, pearl oyster, to humans in memory of his voyage on early.

The scientific term for Te ufi is Pinctada margaritifera, a cumingii variety most commonly known as the black-lipped oyster. In the 19th century, its shell, like that of many other oysters, was great demand by the European button industry. As a result, commercial shell-harvesting operations by local and foreign entities took place in the lagoons of Tuamotu and Gambier, two of the five archipelagos that make up French Polynesia. Amidst the determined search for pearl oysters, there were always possibilities of discovering a natural pearl, although it was estimated that more than 15,000 oysters had to be opened before finding such a pearl.

The Tahitian pearl had earned a reputation for value and rarity even before the secret of pearl cultivation was discovered. This reputation was future enhanced by its use in the jewellery of the world’s royalty and nobility, and soon the Pearl of Tahiti became known as the “Pearl of Queens” and the “Queen of Pearls.” The most famous of these natural black pearls was “Azra,” the centre-piece of a necklace that was part of Russian crown jewels. Today, the Tahitian pearl has become an exotic gem sought after by fashion and jewellery designers, celebrities and pearl admirers alike.