Pearl farming is one of the mainstays of the Polynesian islands’ economies and many families have a pearl farming operation which they will invite visitors to see. Giant blacklipped oysters are seeded with a nucleus around which they secrete lustrous layers of nacre (mother of pearl), and a good sized pearl takes three to five years to grow. You can pick up a slightly irregular sample for less than $20 on the islands, but perfect pearls sell for $1,000 and more. (Gabi Mocatta)
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