“Finding the rough diamonds is only the first step. Once diamonds have been mined and processed out of the ‘overburden’ (that is, the kimberlite rocks in which they are imbedded), the rough crystals are sorted and categorized according to their size, color, shape and other characteristics. At this point, a diamond can follow one of two routes.

The most common route is through the channels of DeBeers’ Central Selling Organization (CSO). Many people are familiar with DeBeers mainly because of their advertisements and commercials and because of the famous motto that they coined in the early half of the 20th century: “”A Diamond is Forever.”"

While DeBeers’ market influence has decreased somewhat over the last few years, they still control the majority of the world’s diamond production (an estimated 30% to 40% of annual diamond production). The purchasing arm of the CSO not only buys diamonds from member mines around the world; it also finances mining technology for governments which do not have the means to mine their own deposits. Most of what is bought through the CSO is sent to London to be offered to buyers through DeBeers marketing arm, the Diamond Trading Corporation (DTC).

The DTC holds ten week-long selling sessions called ‘sights’ each year. These sights are by invitation only, and only a handful of diamond manufacturers from around the world (called ‘sightholders’) are allowed to attend. These sightholders may chose to cut the rough diamonds they buy themselves, or they may chose to sell some of the rough diamonds to smaller manufacturers.

These smaller manufacturers cut the rough diamonds and sell the polished gems either to jewelry manufacturers (who set the diamonds into finished pieces of jewelry and then sell the jewelry to jewelry retailers), or to diamond wholesalers (who then, in turn, sell the diamonds to diamond retailers).

In the less common route from mine to market, some independent miners elect not to sell their mine production to the DeBeers cartel. Instead, they offer newly mined diamonds directly to other world buyers. These buyers, in turn, may chose to cut and sell the diamonds themselves, or pass the diamonds along within the industry in a manner similar to that described above. ”

The Black Pearl may have been a ship in a movie but the black pearls in a black pearl necklace come from the South pacific islands and are
often called South Sea Pearls or Tahitian Pearls.They can look quite splendid especially in a tastefully made black pearl necklace which shows off the skin tone and the dress. A black pearl necklace is the basic black of jewelry and will go with most designs and fashions.

When looking for a black pearl necklace there are some things to keep in mind.Black pearls come in a range of sizes as well as qualities. The size, quantity and quality will depend largely on your budget. The more you can spend the bigger and more pearls you can get for the necklace. However you may not want large pearls of course. The shape and thickness of the neck is important so that you pick the size that is right for you. If one’s neck is on the thin size too big pearls will emphasis the thinness of the neck. While too small a set of pearls on a thicker neck will look tiny and out of place.

Also when you are inspecting the necklace, check that the pearls are uniform in color, luster and size. There should be no uneven pearls and all should be the same shape, either round or perhaps slightly oval in some cases.The luster should be good and you should also get a certificate to state the pearls are genuine and not fake.Black pearls are among the most expensive and so you should choose with care for the money you are paying.

It is important that you do some due diligence and some window shopping before you make a decision. Do not just buy the first black pearl necklace that is shown to you.