Report on the September Hong Kong Jewelry Show

Every time we travel to see our suppliers, we find that the pearl market is never stagnant, the product is always evolving and this show was no exception.  One of the biggest differences was that the quality of the freshwater cultured pearl has improved dramatically; beautiful large naturally colored pearls were impressive.  Golden South Sea jewelry and strands were high in demand.  We would like to share some of these treasures with you in this newsletter.

Some of the most exciting developments were the increased supply of good quality golden South Sea cultured pearls.  There was a tremendous increase in the quality and quantity of these golden beauties.  On our last trip, we struggled to find one spotless neck; now, we found all that we needed.  With a strong supply, the market for this product is sure to explode.

Large freshwater in vibrant colors was more available than ever.  It was just a few short years ago that the first 12mm freshwater cultured pearls trickled onto the market. Now, larger size pearls are a mainstay.  Furthermore, in the past, most pearls were bleached white. Now, natural multi-colors with deep purple, pink, and peach are becoming more prevalent.

Conversely, there were more low-quality freshwater cultured pearls piled in mounds than anyone could believe.  These goods were dyed in every imaginable color: bright greens, blues, and blacks. Where will this entire low-quality product be going—I don’t know?

The use of pearls in jewelry was breathtaking! We wrote home “Wow! A lot of very new, fresh ideas and product...”  The incorporation of pearls in contemporary jewelry designs were the strongest ever. From South Sea and Tahitian to freshwater, the market was filled with new and innovative designs that are sure to fuel increased sales in 2005.  Watch for this product soon!

There were some great buys in Akoya as China improves its production and puts price pressure on the entire Akoya market. The price of good quality product has never been better. (See article )  Save on Akoya