Black Pearls

[Marlster]

Does anyone know the best place to buy black pearls in Tahiti. Doing a South Pacific Cruise on the Ryndam. Marlene

[esther e]

I bought mine in Sibani in Tahiti. Love it. I would highly recommend this store; there's one at Le Meridian Hotel and another branch at Vaima Shopping Center in Papeete. Good luck and happy shopping!!!! I am green with envy!!!!!! I want to go back and shop again

Esther.

[sandiego1]

I bought mine at the Black Pearl Gem Company in Moorea. I spent 2 wks in Bora Bora and Moorea in Sept 2004. I searched many, many stores while I was there to try to get a good deal. I was purchasing a necklace for my sister to celebrate her 40th birthday. I was actually in Moorea on my birthday and my husband surprised me by offering to buy me something when I finally decided what to buy for my sister.

 

I worked w/ Wendy so ask for her when you get there. She was very helpful and knew a lot about pearls and gems in general.

 

About 2 months after our trip, I was accosted in Costco (of all places) and the person stole my necklace. I was devastated. :( It was a birthday present and a reminder of my wonderful trip to Paradise. I contacted Wendy by email and she arranged for me to get a replacement. She checked her records for the type of setting I purchased (it was the only 1 in the shop at the time - it was that unique!). She took photos of several pearls and emailed them to me. Once I made my selection, she had it mounted the same and I got it via FedEx a short time later. She made a bad situation so much better!

 

Luckily, I had purchased it on American Express and since it was stolen (and I had a police report), Amex reimbursed me for the replacement.

:)

 

This shop had the best prices and most unique settings. I highly recommend them.

 

Check out their web site:

http://www.blackpearlgemco.com/

[xpcdoojk]

I can't remember the name of the store, but it was on Moorea. Owned by an American, I will see if I can find the receipts handy at home. The necklace and matching earrings that I bought my wife are beyond fantastic. They were not particularly cheap, but good real Black Pearls are not cheap anywhere. Be very careful because there are several unethical dealers in Tahiti (or insert your town here!;) )

 

jc

[SDHALFAN]

I honestly don't know how much help this will be since I have not yet visited Tahiti (coming up at the beginning of next year and I can't wait), but go to the Ports of Call boards and enter "Pacific Islands, all". There was quite a discussion going on there regarding Tahiti and pearls of all kinds and I got some good tips on places to visit and places to avoid.

 

Good luck, and enjoy your cruise aboard the wonderful ms Ryndam, my favorite ship (well okay, the Ryndam and the Amsterdam are my co-favorites).

 

Fair winds and following seas and have a wonderful time in Tahiti, and especially aboard the Ryndam.

 

Valerie:)

[Marlster]

Thanks so much for all the info. Here is where we are going - Raiatea, Bora Bora, Papeete and Moorea.

SANDIEGO 1 - That was quite the costco experience, glad everything turned out great for you.

VALERIE: - When is your cruise to the Ploynesian Islands?

Has anyone ever gone to the Black Pearl Factory? I sure dont want to get ripped off. Are most of these stores that have been mentioned near the cruiseship terminal? Marlene

[SDHALFAN]

Hi Marlene,

 

My cruise to the Polynesian Islands is part of the Amsterdam's Grand World Voyage. Since I'm not "filthy rich" I am only going from Fort Lauderdale to Hong Kong and the Polynesian Islands are part of this cruise. We leave Fort Lauderdale on January 15th and will visit Bora Bora and Tahiti February 3rd and 4th of 2007.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful cruise on the Ryndam and that you will find some beautiful black pearls as a memento of your cruise.

 

Valerie:)

[Marlster]

SDHALFAR - Hi Valerie. We are doing a 30 day cruise leaving from San Diago and hitting all the Hawaiian Islands then all the Polynesian Islands starting Jan. 22/07 can hardly wait. Last year we did a 23 day cruise and still didn't want to get off. Your cruise sounds wonderful. Marlene

[DD]

Best place for most price ranges when you compare prices and selection? Fa'a airport in Papeete. Worst place -- any place in Bora Bora. Best shopping experience with great prices and great selection? Pearl farm in Huahine called Huahine Nui Pearls. Best place for fun and casual cheapy pearls? Outdoor market in Moorea near the dock. Most expensive but very good quality? Sibani and/or Robert Wan but you're paying for the names. Paying for names isn't always a bad thing.

[Aussie Gal]

We went to a small shopping centre close to Le Meridien Hotel in Papeete where we could choose our own pearls. Make sure you claim back your VAT at the airport.

 

It was a great place with different grades of pearls and next year in June we will be returning to this shop for more.

 

Jennie

[Marlster]

JENNIE: What is VAT? Marlene

[Bodger]

JENNIE: What is VAT? Marlene

Value Added Tax, it is like the GST in Canada.

 

Personally I would never wear pearls of any sort at Costco, but then if I did my wife might wonder about me.:rolleyes:

 

Bodger

[Aussie Gal]

Marlene,

 

When you buy any pearls over a certain value in Tahiti, there is a tax on them and as we are tourists where can have that tax refunded.

 

Jennie

[Marlster]

BODGER: I know it sounds stupid but where would you try and get the tax back? Do they have forms to fill out when you come back through customs? Marlene

[Aussie Gal]

Marlene,

 

The jeweller fills out a form for you which you hand in at the airport. Our jeweller had already taken the tax off, so we just had to pass on this form. If we hadn't passed on the special form we would have been charged the tax.

 

If you have already paid the tax you either receive back it in cash at the airport or the credit appears on your credit card a few weeks later. It just depends on the country you visit.

 

Jennie

[Marlster]

Thanks everyone for the great information regarding the tax. Marlene