I. Melanosomal pH controls multiple stages of melanin production, with near neutral pH being optimal for human tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis. II. Neutralizing melanosomal pH in Caucasian melanocytes and melanoma cells leads to increased melanin production and a preferential increase in eumelanin over phaeomelanin. III. Melanosomal pH also regulates the maturation rate of melanosomes, with neutral pH resulting in more mature melanosomes.