Gauguin's Pearl Farm
Gauguin's Pearl Farm
4.4
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
Gauguin's Pearl is the unique pearl farm on the Rangiroa atoll, in French Polynesia. Since it opened in 1992, it has provided local, ethical, traditional and ecological knowledge to all its customers. A very well-documented guided tour is provided as well, where you can discover the whole process from the birth of a Tahitian pearl to the creation of a jewel. In our shop, you will find handmade creations, unique Tahitian pearl jewells, and a large choice of colors and shapes : necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets and rings.
Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.4
495 reviews
Excellent
262
Very good
185
Average
36
Poor
6
Terrible
6
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Melissa's Travels
Indianapolis, IN156 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
The pearl tour was very interesting and informative. The view from where you sit is also pretty amazing. Afterwards, we visited their pearl shop and found their prices to be high. I would shop around and become familiar with what you want and pricing before buying.
Written 19 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wunderlast
Seattle, WA277 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
I didn’t really expect much when I signed up for this free tour, but it was surprisingly interesting. They picked us up from the resort and we spent some time inside perusing the shop before and after the guide explained the process of culture farming. She spoke excellent English and was kind. I had the opportunity to pull a pearl out of an oyster, which was an unique, albeit slimy, experience.
I didn’t see anything in the shop that I particularly liked so I didn’t buy anything. I appreciated that there was absolutely no pressure to make purchase.
The entire trip took about 1.5 hours.
I didn’t see anything in the shop that I particularly liked so I didn’t buy anything. I appreciated that there was absolutely no pressure to make purchase.
The entire trip took about 1.5 hours.
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
milie
Paris29 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Great place to learn and see the whole process of pearls creation, visit in English was perfect and staff is friendly and knowledgeable. My highlight was to watch live the pearl extractions on oysters, the expertise is amazing!
Note that the visit is now 1000xpf per person but it’s well worth it!
Note that the visit is now 1000xpf per person but it’s well worth it!
Written 2 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drmax22
San Antonio, TX16 contributions
Aug 2022
We have been to Rangiroa four times. Each time we have purchased pearls, and in the past, it has been at Gauguin's Pearl Farm. However, we found a small shop on the main road called, "Pearly's." Stephane is the owner and was very helpful. There was no pressure to buy at all, but Stephane assisted us in making some informed purchases. My wife even drilled her own pearls for mounting. Pearly has a wide variety of pearls and settings. The prices are competitive and service is friendly. Don't miss Pearly and compare prices and service with the other vendors before you buy!
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
isabelle b
4 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
I was delighted to discover this pearl oyster farm and to be able to treat myself to “the pearl”! But despite a pleasant visit and very good explanations which made me want to buy it here, I was turned away by the owner who explained to me that they did not sell beautiful pearls! So the ugly ones are for visitors and tourists and the beautiful ones are for the Chinese or who knows who! What a shame to refuse to sell a beautiful Gem or A+ quality pearl to a customer who wants to treat herself to it! In short, very disappointed by their very uncommercial attitude! In addition, the prices are extremely prohibitive even for medium quality pearls! Go there for the visit but not to treat yourself to pearls…
Written 1 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xouxoub
Biarritz, France59 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
No respect for visitors. Bad received because supposedly came too late when we had phoned before. We were answered open until 3pm but arrived at 2:15pm on foot, we were ejected without kindness. If this is how we receive, we are far from the standards of Polynesian friendliness. Are only willing to sell, and expensive!! To avoid absolutely and visit a farm elsewhere!! There are so many others where the welcome is cordial. Good hearing
Automatically translated
Written 15 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jocelyn L
Carmel, CA138 contributions
Aug 2022
The tour was very informative and free. We were picked up at our pension and taken to the Pearl Farm in Rangiroa. There was a presentation given outside under a small cabana in French and English from a knowledgeable staff member. Then we were taken to see the Pearl Master working on the oysters, one by one. Afterwards we visited the shop where there were many high quality pearls for sale. We learned a lot about the production, quality, shape and size of the pearls. This was the best Pearl Farm we experienced in French Polynesia and very high class.
Written 2 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wei Bing L
Ipoh, Malaysia469 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
I came to Rangiroa as part of my Oceania Cruise holiday around French Polynesia in February 2019 together with my Uncle. We booked a shore excursion with Oceania to visit this pearl farm but it turned out that there is a complimentary round-trip shuttle to bring visitors from the pier to the farm 3 times a day; at 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm whenever there is a cruise ship anchored off the island. If you are traveling to Rangiroa on a cruise ship, save your money and go for the complimentary shuttle.
After arriving at the pearl farm, we were given a short presentation on Tahitian pearl farming by a beautiful Tahitian lady who spoke very fluent English. She even used a live oyster for the Show & Tell session, to show us where the craftsmen make the incision in the oyster to insert the nucleus made from the Mississippi clam shell and how the colours of the mother-of-pearl of each oyster determines the colour of the pearls, etc. From her, we learned that it takes 3 years to grow a Tahitan black-lipped oyster from spats and then the insemination is performed by skilled and experienced craftsmen. After the insemination, it will take at least another 2 years to allow the oyster to coat the inserted nucleus with sufficient nacre before the pearls are harvested. As part of the tour, visitors get to taste the muscular tissue of the black-lipped oyster, uncooked, and to try a bit of the local wine grown on an adjacent island in Rangiroa itself! And we get to see how the craftsmen pry open the oysters to extract the pearls and insert a new nucleus in each oyster.
At the end of the tour, we are invited into their pearl boutique and there is a good assortment of pearl jewellery as well as loose pearls on display. I was after large(14mm to 16mm) loose pearls, and I saw a 17mm multi-coloured circled pearl selling for USD225, but another customer beat me to it. Then I saw a very interesting, 2-faced pearl(half of this pearl is silver in colour and the other half is light green in colour), round and 15.6mm in size with good lustre. I decided to purchase it and have them drill it and string it up on a leather strand for a men's-style necklace. The mounting service was FOC. The price of the pearls here are duty-free, so you cannot get a 16% discount on your purchases. However, all the pearls come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
I definitely recommend first-time visitors to French Polynesia to do this pearl farm tour, even if you do not intend to buy any pearls. I wish everyone reading this review a safe & amazing holiday in Beautiful French Polynesia!
After arriving at the pearl farm, we were given a short presentation on Tahitian pearl farming by a beautiful Tahitian lady who spoke very fluent English. She even used a live oyster for the Show & Tell session, to show us where the craftsmen make the incision in the oyster to insert the nucleus made from the Mississippi clam shell and how the colours of the mother-of-pearl of each oyster determines the colour of the pearls, etc. From her, we learned that it takes 3 years to grow a Tahitan black-lipped oyster from spats and then the insemination is performed by skilled and experienced craftsmen. After the insemination, it will take at least another 2 years to allow the oyster to coat the inserted nucleus with sufficient nacre before the pearls are harvested. As part of the tour, visitors get to taste the muscular tissue of the black-lipped oyster, uncooked, and to try a bit of the local wine grown on an adjacent island in Rangiroa itself! And we get to see how the craftsmen pry open the oysters to extract the pearls and insert a new nucleus in each oyster.
At the end of the tour, we are invited into their pearl boutique and there is a good assortment of pearl jewellery as well as loose pearls on display. I was after large(14mm to 16mm) loose pearls, and I saw a 17mm multi-coloured circled pearl selling for USD225, but another customer beat me to it. Then I saw a very interesting, 2-faced pearl(half of this pearl is silver in colour and the other half is light green in colour), round and 15.6mm in size with good lustre. I decided to purchase it and have them drill it and string it up on a leather strand for a men's-style necklace. The mounting service was FOC. The price of the pearls here are duty-free, so you cannot get a 16% discount on your purchases. However, all the pearls come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
I definitely recommend first-time visitors to French Polynesia to do this pearl farm tour, even if you do not intend to buy any pearls. I wish everyone reading this review a safe & amazing holiday in Beautiful French Polynesia!
Written 9 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Finova
Virginia Beach, VA283 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
Sent them an email from Kia Ora hotel and asked if they could pick us up for 2:00 tour the next day. Quick confirmation response email from them and we were booked.
Fascinating tour in detail and watch the tradesmen apply their craft. Really nice selection of items; nice pendant for the Mrs. and a Christmas gift for future daughter in law. They also have marine animals carved into oyster shells for sale which we bought one with dolphin on it. We were back at hotel by 3:10. Also gives you interesting ride along the island.
Fascinating tour in detail and watch the tradesmen apply their craft. Really nice selection of items; nice pendant for the Mrs. and a Christmas gift for future daughter in law. They also have marine animals carved into oyster shells for sale which we bought one with dolphin on it. We were back at hotel by 3:10. Also gives you interesting ride along the island.
Written 1 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyche75
San Francisco, CA301 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
I found the tour very educational, and I did not feel pressured in any way to buy anything - we left when we were done, for example, not at a defined time that might have kept us in the shop for longer. if you're interested in cultured black pearls, check it out
Written 13 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be arriving on an Oceania cruise in March
We will be in bora bora-raiatea-Papeete
Would it be possible to have a pearl tour from any of these ports
Thank you
Written 18 November 2019
Hello, if you have a stop at Rangiroa Atoll, you will have the oppotunity to do a pearl farm tour to gauguin's Pearl Farm. You have to book it from the shore excursion onboard.
Written 18 November 2019
do you pick up at the Dock--we are coming on a Oceania cruise ship in March. would I need to make a reservation
Written 25 October 2019
Yes make a reservation. We stayed at a hotel on the island, made reservations for the tour and they picked us up at our hotel with a shuttle.
It’s neat (quick) little tour that’s worth seeing.
Written 26 October 2019
Hacen envios para España?
Ils font des envois en Espagne?
Written 13 May 2019
Bonjour oui nous pouvons expédier partout dans le monde. Le cout d'expédition est d'environ 15 euros. Cordialement
Written 16 May 2019
Pourrais-je vs renvoyer une perle que j'ai achetée au mois d'août sans aucun éclat. Âpres l'avoir montré au stand TAHITI à la foire de Marseille, on ma certifié lavoir payé très cher et quelle ne correspondait pas à la catégorie annoncée sur votre certificat. J'ai laissé déjà un commentaire à ce sujet ou je disais mon mécontentement et avoir l'impression de mèttre fait avoir.
Cordialement
Written 25 September 2018
Bonjour
Je n'ai accès à votre commentaire que ce jour d'où ma réponse tardive. Pourriez vous nous donner les références de votre facture et éventuellement les caractéristiques écrites sur le certificat. Une photo de qualité serait aussi la bienvenue. Nous prendrons le plus grand soin à examiner la raison de votre mécontentement et ferons le nécessaire si cela s'avère justifié. J'entend par là que la concurrence acharnée que se livrent certains vendeurs de perles laisse la voie à des commentaires parfois un peu limites. Je vous propose par ailleurs de nous contacter directement sur notre courriel rangiroapearl@mail.pf. Bien à vous
Written 13 May 2019
How does it work at customs when you come back to your country? Italy, in my case. Have I to declare the pearls?
Written 25 August 2018
Hello, it is possible that your country has a taxation on imported luxurious goods when it reaches a certain price. We personally don't know about Italy, but in France, for instance, it would be necessary to declare your goods when their value exceed 450€. Hope it helps! Thank you for visiting us, have a great day!
Written 4 September 2018
If you stay in an hotel or guest house here at Rangiroa, you can book through the reception desk, or you can call us at the following number : 40931130 or mail us at : boutique@gauguinspearl.pf.
Written 10 November 2017
rita668
Boca Raton, Florida
We will be arriving on the maasdam on April 17/ Will you pick us up from the pier?
Rita
Written 23 October 2016
You need to redirect this to your cruise company or Gauguin's.
Written 23 October 2016
Where can I get the free shuttle
Written 4 January 2015
Hello Cynthia. the pearl farm organize free guided tours everydays from monday to friday. The tours begins at 8:30, 10:30 and 14:00. You can call us from your hotel or guest house and we will come with the shuttle to pick you up about 20mn before the tour. tel number : (689) 40 93 11 30
Written 26 January 2015
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