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  1. jshepherd

    Zhuji or Hongqiao Pearl Market

    Yeah, for the most part we don't see that in Hong Kong. There is no local or tourist traffic, just wholesale buyers. So there are a lot fewer games.
  2. jshepherd

    Zhuji or Hongqiao Pearl Market

    Most wholesale buyers prefer the Hong Kong shows over the mainland. It's a lot easier to find what you want, and to understand pricing structures when vendors are lined up in booths. But affordability and price depends on you no matter where you choose to go. If you are unfamiliar with the...
  3. jshepherd

    Zhuji or Hongqiao Pearl Market

    There is a Hongqiao market in both Shanghai and Beijing. The one in Beijing is much better suited for your purposes. As for the hand-carry, it depends on where you're going. If the pearls are loose or unknotted, there is no duty. But if you hand-carry, you still have to claim them and arrange...
  4. jshepherd

    Zhuji or Hongqiao Pearl Market

    If it's your first time to buy pearls, Hongqiao in Beijing would be the easiest to start. Zhuji is more of an advanced trip. You will get taken advantage of in either place, so it's best to get your feet wet at Hongqiao. Your second question doesn't really have an answer. Someone could say $5...
  5. jshepherd

    Hello, I found this piece inside an oyster. Is it possible to know the type and value?

    It appears to be a blister pearl. The pearl has grown attached to the shell. Blisters are not considered very valuable. Whole pearls, detached from the shell, are valuable.
  6. jshepherd

    Mikimoto pearls

    You've got a vintage Mikimoto strand that has never been strung or worn - quite interesting. The seals are attached to the strand in order to import the pearls into the US without paying a duty. They are "temporarily strung for ease of transport." I have one of these in my personal collection.
  7. jshepherd

    Natural Fish-Shaped Pearl

    Here is a link to the Gems & Gemology article - https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/gems-gemology/fall-2017-labnotes-natural-freshwater-fish-pearl
  8. jshepherd

    Natural Fish-Shaped Pearl

    Translation - A one-of-a-kind pearl valued at $5,000,000 The story behind the fish-pearl A jewel that landed in the GIA laboratory, a natural pearl that strangely resembles a fish. Shortly after, I received news from its owner, Lebanese merchant Stéphane Rawadi, who told me the story of this...
  9. jshepherd

    Giant clam pearl 30.4kg

    This is not a pearl. This is a piece of shell. We have seen many of these fake giant clam pearls on this forum - https://www.pearl-guide.com/threads/more-fake-tridacna-gigantic-pearls.462338/
  10. jshepherd

    Giant Edison Pearls are Here

    I just received the photos, so didn't get a chance to examine them in person. I responded and asked what the bead was composed of. He responded the nucleus was a pearl powder synthesis. It sounds like he is describing a sort of reconstituted nucleus made from shell. If that's the case, it would...
  11. jshepherd

    Fake, Imitation, Laguna, Faux, Majorica, Majorcan, Swarovski Pearl Photos, Stories

    This is a strand of dyed Chinese freshwater pearls. You did really well for $40! "s/s RD ENH peacock cult fwp 3 piece set" probably means Sterling Silver, Round Enhanced peacock cultured freshwater pearl 3 piece set. The pearls are near round, enhanced (dyed) cultured Chinese freshwater with a...
  12. jshepherd

    Giant Edison Pearls are Here

    Here we go. The nacre is incredibly thick and the strand weighs 250 grams. That's more than a half a pound - not a light-weight strand.
  13. jshepherd

    Are these real rare high grade black pearls?

    No, these are not pearls, unfortunately. They are just beads.
  14. jshepherd

    Are any of these real?

    Yes, all real. They are dyed Chinese freshwater pearls.
  15. jshepherd

    Show Us Your Pearls In Action!!!

    Happy birthday Berna!!!
  16. jshepherd

    Fake, Imitation, Laguna, Faux, Majorica, Majorcan, Swarovski Pearl Photos, Stories

    These are genuine Chinese freshwater pearls and the color is natural.
  17. jshepherd

    Giant Edison Pearls are Here

    Edison pearls keep getting bigger and bigger. This is the first time I've been offered strands more than 20 mm.
  18. jshepherd

    Vintage freshwater

    This looks like it could be strand of natural pearls.
  19. jshepherd

    PSA - Fake Giant Clam Pearls | Tridacna Gigas

    Over the past few years, we've been inundated with images of claims of supposed giant clam pearls, almost all of which come from the Philippines. This is likely due to a story about a supposed 75-pound pearl (34 kilo) a Filipino fisherman had kept under his bed for a decade. The story was...
  20. jshepherd

    Gujarat, India farmer develops 48-carat pearl

    Is this you? https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/sullia-farmer-takes-up-freshwater-pearl-farming/articleshow/97832224.cms
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