Frequently Asked Questions
Our Farm & Our Pearls
What does Farm Direct mean?
It means the pearls come from our own family farm to you, with no middlemen in between. Most pearls change hands several times - farm, wholesaler, dealer, retailer - and the price climbs at every stop. Ours skip all of that. No middlemen. No mystery.
Do you do custom orders?
Yes we do. Any piece on our website can be customized by hand-selecting the pearl or pearls yourself. If you have something in mind that you don't see on the site, let us know and we will see what we can do.
Have something in mind? Contact us with any inquiries.
How do you farm pearls?
Our pearls are cultured at our farm on Takaroa. Over roughly eighteen months to two years, the oyster layers nacre around the nucleus, and that nacre creates the pearl. The oysters do the work; we tend the lines and wait.
Where is the farm located?
The farm sits on Takaroa, an atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. It has been in the Temanaha family for generations. The pearls grow in the lagoon there before they ever reach our studio.
Are the pearls dyed or treated?
No. Never. Our Tahitian pearls are natural, with their color and overtones formed inside the oyster. We never dye, tint, or color-treat them.
Ordering & Shipping
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes - all U.S. orders automatically receive free shipping. International orders over $250 USD ship for free.
How long does it take to receive my order?
Processing: Orders are typically processed and shipped the very next business day.
Domestic Shipping: Most domestic orders arrive within 3 to 5 business days after shipping.
International Shipping: International shipping times can vary, but on average our international orders arrive within 1 to 2 weeks after they ship, depending on the destination and local customs processing.
Where do you ship from?
We ship from our studio in Boise, Idaho. The pearls are grown and harvested at our farm on Takaroa, then brought to our studio where they are prepared as finished pieces.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship our products all over the globe.
International shipping is free on orders over $250.
What is your return/exchange policy?
Hassle-free returns & exchanges within 30 days of purchase. We will provide postage free of charge for domestic returns. Items must be in original condition. Just contact us.
If your order arrives damaged or not as expected, please contact us and we’ll make it right.
Choosing & Caring for Your Pearls
How do I know what size pearl to order?
Pearl size is a matter of taste more than rule. Tahitian pearls generally run from 8mm to 14mm, with the 9mm to 11mm range being the everyday sweet spot and larger sizes reading as more of a statement.
When in doubt, the middle sizes suit most people. Each extra millimeter means more growth time in the oyster and fewer pearls at harvest, so size and price climb together.
Can I wear my pearls every day?
Yes. Pearls are meant to be worn, and the natural oils from your skin actually help keep them lustrous over time. They ask for a little care - put them on after perfume, lotion, and hairspray, keep them away from harsh chemicals, and wipe them gently after wearing. Treated kindly, a Tahitian pearl will last for generations.
Here are our favorite Every Day pieces that go with everything.
How do I care for my pearls?
Pearls are softer than most gems and prefer gentle handling. Put them on last, after perfume and hairspray, and wipe them with a soft damp cloth after wearing. Keep them away from harsh chemicals and stored flat, not hanging.
Miscellaneous
Do you have a physical store?
We are an online store, run out of our studio in Boise, Idaho. Keeping our overhead low is part of how we sell farm-direct pieces without the markup of a traditional jewelry store.
We will occasionally do local markets and events, join our mailing list to get announcements!
Do you offer wholesale?
Yes, we offer wholesale on loose pearls and finished jewelry.
Contact us with any inquiries.
What kind of gemstones do you use?
The heart of every piece is a natural Tahitian pearl, grown in the lagoon at Takaroa. Any accent gemstones set alongside them are lab-grown, a choice we make on purpose. Lab-grown stones spare the environmental toll of mining and let us offer the same beauty and quality with a lighter footprint. The pearls are always real and grown by the oyster - only the accent stones are made in a lab.
What is a keshi pearl?
A keshi is a pearl that forms without a nucleus. In most cultured pearls, a technician places a small bead for the oyster to coat in nacre, but every so often the oyster forms a pearl from nacre alone, with no bead at the center. The result is a small, solid-nacre pearl with a bright luster and a free, organic shape, no two alike. Ours come from the same oysters at Takaroa that grow our round Tahitian pearls.
Checkout our collection of pieces featuring Tahitian Keshi Pearls.
What is the difference between a Tahitian pearl and a black pearl?
They often mean the same thing, but not always. Tahitian pearls are the naturally dark pearls grown by the black-lip oyster in French Polynesia, and their color comes from the oyster itself. "Black pearl" is a looser term - it gets used for genuine Tahitians, but also for freshwater or Akoya pearls that were dyed black to imitate them. So every Tahitian pearl is a true black pearl, but not every pearl sold as a "black pearl" is a naturally dark Tahitian. Ours are always genuine Tahitian pearls, grown at Takaroa, with their color formed inside the oyster and never dyed.
Browse our full collection of Farm-Direct Tahitian Black Pearl Jewelry.
Contact us with any inquiries.
info@anunapearl.com