Robert Wan's Pearl Museum

Robert Wan's Black Pearl Museum, the only museum in the world devoted entirely to the black pearls, is located in the Vaima Center in downtown Papeete. It also contains Robert Wan's private collection and is a wonderful place to learn more about the black pearl and how it has been viewed and utilized throughout history.  We were given a very interesting tour through the museum by Didi and the air conditioning was a welcome relief!

Didi used the exhibits at the museum to explain to the group how the black pearl is formed.  The black-lipped oyster is grafted with a ball from the Mississippi mussel and then is hung in the lagoon.  The oyster, irritated by the graft, secretes the nacre that becomes the  black pearl.  

Left: The inside of the black-lipped oyster showing the black pearl. Above and below right: Didi explains how the grafter inserts the ball into the oyster which will eventually become the black pearl.  Below left:  an exhibit which shows how the Mississippi mussel is turned into the balls that are used in grafting.   Above right:  Didi explains to the group about black pearl farms.  

The museum also has exhibits which show how the black pearl has been used throughout the ages. 

Robert Wan is the owner of the largest black pearl in the world. Above on the circular piece of coral is
 that black pearl.

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