Buying Tahitians - better in Jakarta or online?

[chris.e]

Hi everyone!

I'm currently in Jakarta, Indonesia and will be for the next two weeks. My grandmother wanted me to buy earrings with Tahitians. I've been in contact with a local jewelry sending pictures back and forth. Now I've noticed the prices they call seem to be quite high - about 100% - 300% mark-up from what you would get from say pearlparadise.

I don't have the time to travel, so visiting local farms isn't an option.

Should I buy locally or should I recommend she buy it online and get her something else as a memory from Indonesia?

Thanks!

 

[jshepherd]

There are no Tahitian pearl farms in Indonesia - only South Sea. If you're looking for white or golden South Sea you can buy locally produced pearls, but if Tahitian, they are imported to Indonesia from Tahiti.

 

[chris.e]

Thanks for your reply!