Black and Gray Pearls
Black, gray and silver color occurs naturally in Tahitian and some fresh water pearls.
While Tahitian pearls in particular are greatly prized today, but this was not always the case.. In his 1886 book "Pearls and Pearling Life" Edwin Streeter wrote:
"It would seem that black pearls were not regarded as objects of value by the ancients. At any reat, we have not met with any mention of them by mediaeval writers. Even thirty years ago they were but little esteemed. A perfect round black pearl weighing 8 grains was bought for £4 , which at the present day l£100 would gladly be given."
In the mid 19th century, black pearls came into vogue thanks to Empress Eugenie of France, wife of Napolean III, who is said to have preferred them to white pearls. The Empress had a necklace made up of a row of priceless, high-quality black pearls - a great rarity, given that at the time ALL pearls were rarer than they are today. After the Isecond French empire was overthrown, the Empress and her husband fled to England and the necklace was sold at Christies for £4000.