Markets & Shopping
Black pearls: what you are actually buying
📍 Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Where
Avarua showrooms and Punanga Nui Market
Opening hours
Shop hours; market on Saturday
Typical cost
From modest to very considerable
Black pearls are farmed in the northern Cook Islands, principally Manihiki and Penrhyn, and sold in Rarotonga. They are one of the few genuinely local things you can buy here.
What determines value
- Lustre — the depth of the shine. This matters most and is the easiest to judge by eye.
- Surface — blemishes reduce price. Few pearls are perfect.
- Shape — round costs most; baroque shapes are often more interesting and much cheaper.
- Size and colour — larger costs more; the peacock and aubergine tones are prized.
Where to buy
Established showrooms in Avarua will explain grading and provide certification for serious purchases. The market is good for lower-priced pieces. Either way, ask questions — reputable sellers are happy to answer them.
💡 Local tip
Look at lustre before colour. A pearl with deep lustre and a small blemish is a better buy than a flawless one that looks flat — and it will cost less.
Listed as a local guide entry — not bookable through CI Booking. Details can change; it is worth confirming before you go.
Book something on Rarotonga
Booked direct with local operators — no booking fees.