Robert Wan's Pearl Museum

In downtown Papeete at the Vaima Center, there is Robert Wan's Black Pearl Museum. It is the only museum in the world that is devoted entirely to pearls and has Robert Wan's private collection.  It is a wonderful place to learn more about the black pearl and how the black pearl has been viewed throughout history.  The group was given a very interesting tour through the museum.

Left:  How oysters are hung in the lagoon in a pearl farm. Above: A model in the museum showing how a black pearl grows in the oyster.  

An exhibit showing how the black pearl is grafted.

Explaining to our group about how black pearls are grown.

Many exhibits showed how the black pearl was worn throughout the centuries.  

The pearl in the back is from Robert Wan's private collection and is the largest and most perfect black pearl in the world..

The group learned that you need to match the color of the black pearl to your skin.

 Top