This pearl farm was much different than the one we visited in Apataki. The one in Apataki was much more industrial, a working farm, where we watched every step of the process. This farm in out on stilts in the lagoon between mainland Huahine Nui and an outlying motu. Their board explains that they like it out like that because the bugs don't come out there to bite them, only on land! The outside of the building has oyster shells decorating it and a wood deck around. It's a beautiful showroom inside. The owner does both pearls and pottery, so there are many things on display and for sale. They put on a presentation using a real, open oyster to demonstrate what is what and how they do it. I learned more about the theory behind the process here than I did in Apataki. They implant a graft from a donor oyster with beautiful colors in their shells. They also implant the seed that we were seeing in Apataki (and here). The graft is from the mantle of another oyster and is alive. It sees the seed as foreign and lays down pearl over it as a protection. There's only a 50% success rate in this process. Sometimes the native oyster rejects the graft and lays its own pearl over the graft. This is what I was finding in the discard oysters in Apataki, small, irregular "pearls" left in the gonad sack of the oysters that failed to produce a pearl and were therefore discarded (until I collected them).
Cool to understand what they do better. So now I've seen it done and understand what and why they were doing it. At this pearl farm, it was all presentation and demonstration, but no actual work being done. We did not see them implanting oysters, drilling them, tying them to the plastic mesh, etc. I am glad I have that background information also. This was a little touristy. But you can't beat an English presentation and demonstration about the process either. They are also super gluing little beads to the outer shell of an oyster, it lays pearl over it in only 6 months time, then they have to sacrifice the oyster, but they cut it out of the shell, and at that point they can have a pearlized dolphin shape, heart, round bead or anything else. These are cool and faster than the 18 months for a round pearl, but any oyster could only produce 2 (at one time), then it is killed for harvesting.
We walked around the showroom and saw some lovely things, but unfortunately for them, we've seen better prices and were unable to purchase anything here. I got some nice ideas on how to mount and use my loose pearls. I wanted to buy something in appreciation for the place and the tour, but some of the loose pearls were 15 times what we'd paid for similar quality ones. I couldn't bring myself to blow the budget to show my appreciation, so we left with pictures and memories and had a lovely dinghy ride back home on the opposite side of the island. I also now appreciate my black cord pearl necklace that I got in Tahiti, which sells between $70 and $90 here. So I feel I've done well!
They too also really have a good business plan. They have a beautiful product, locally produced. They make great gift for tourists to bring a memory or give to friends. They have multiple "island boat tours" which stop by their pearl farm for the free tour, which enhances the island tours for sure. They have captive audiences who want local treasures as gifts from their trip. There is no local competition and many tourists aren't able to price shop their pearls. They shop and displays are certainly beautiful and nicely done. So, kudos to them for what appears to be a nice business plan and good marketing! And who's the say the "value" of a little shiny ball anyway?
Jasper from Elena is 10 years old and has been saving his money for some surfing gear. He was tempted to buy an oyster shell carving and finally came to the conclusion that he may not have a use for it in the future. Not as much as he might use surfing gear. When we returned to the boat, I gave him one of my pearls I bought previously. It's got gorgeous colors and an unusual shape with a point on one side and a small knobby on another side. He loved it and was very appreciative and is thinking that if his dad is able to drill it for him, he will make a necklace of it or add it to a bracelet he has. Glad to see that he liked it, and he has a memento from the pearl farm as well as his friends on our boat, and rational thought about financial planning was also encouraged.
All good.
Shannon
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