A brand name for sustainable pearls!

Avaiki cultured pearls from the Cook Islands

Avaiki pearls are characteristic rare pearls of high quality carrying the trademark of environmental awareness and integrity.
Advancing sustainable pearls from the Cook Islands, the high quality Cook Islands pearls now have a brand name – the AVAIKI pearl.

Sustainability within the pearl trade is worth looking for. With a higher awareness of our foot print, we can participate in shaping our present and future environment and care take for our human resources. And consequently gaining an overall better quality of our aquatic gem, the pearl.
The Avaiki brand is put forward in order to guarantee a quality standard embracing sustainable awareness within the pearling culture of black pearls. Only pearls which have been cultured respecting all areas of the fair trade and sustainable regulations and sold through accredited Avaiki farmers and wholesalers can be sold as certified Avaiki pearls.
The Cook Islands are situated in the heart of the South Pacific Ocean. Of the 15 islands and atolls, only one atoll, Manihiki, has operating pearl farms. Two thirds, adding to 14 farms at the time of writing (2012), are operating accredited Avaiki pearl farms. Pearl farming is the main income for most of the population living in Manihiki, hence being a very important activity in this remote area of the country. The high focus on a continuous healthy environment and sustainable living in the islands are important factors to ensure the wellbeing of the population in this area.

As the Tahiti cultured pearl, the Avaiki pearl is cultured in the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera. In order for the pearl to be certified Avaiki, directives regarding the period of growth, and hence the thickness of the layer of nacre, the overall culturing process, the grading of the pearls and several other factors are to be maintained. The Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources together with the Cook Islands Pearls Authority administer these directives.
As a part of the quality guarantee only the A, B, and C qualities can be certified Avaiki. The D qualities are not sold under this brand name. The grading system is equal to that from Tahiti.
Due to the long growth periods, the Avaiki cultured pearls have a very thick layer of nacre. The colours are similar to the Tahitian colours being green, blue, aubergine and beautiful intense black pearls. Soft tones with a milder lustre in the pastel grey colours are also sought after.
The average sizes range from 9-13 mm, with larger pearls up to 18 mm.
Marc’Harit is the Scandinavian distributor of the sustainable Avaiki pearls.

Avaiki is the Maori word for spiritual homeland.
For more information please visit www.avaikipearls.com