South Sea Pearls from China?

[butterfly]

Is China produce any South Sea pearls? If so, what is the different between Chinese South Sea Pearls and Australian or other places? As told by my friends, a lot of people in China selling big round freshwater pearls as South Sea pearls, is that true? I am going to take a trip to GuangZhou , and would like to take a look at some South Sea Pearls which cultured in China, any recommandations?

Many Thanks.

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Butterfly,

There are some pinctada maxima under cultivation in China, but not enough to make any market impact. The big round freshwater pearls cost about as much as South Sea pearls and are typically the better deal. There are some bead-nucleated fine round freshwater pearls available from Chenghai but they cost more than South Sea pearls or about as much as Kasumigaura cultured freshwater pearls that are also bead nucleated. The large round freshwater cultured pearls can have much better luster than South Sea PPBs and are far, far rarer. Fine-luster, solid-nacre cultured pearls have before and still do easily outprice South Sea PPBs in China. There is no inherent superiority to bead nucleation or pinctada maxima origin, it is rather vice versa. Both large round freshwater cultured pearls and South Sea PPBs can be dull. South Sea PPBs are more likely to be dull than freshwater cultured pearls, though.

Zeide

 

[butterfly]

Thanks Zeide! I am looking for a 30" 10mm round golden south sea pearl necklace over there. So, that means if I can find something in good quality over there in GuangZhou, that should be find, right? I wonder what is the price of something like this in there? Any idea?

Many thanks!

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Butterfly,

I would take some long hard looks at authentic samples before shopping for Golden South Sea PPBs in Guangzhou. You will find about every type of fudging that can be imagined there. If the Golden South Seas are really what you want, make a side trip to Manila and ask a local pearl hunter to help you find a good deal and barter for it. I can recommend forum member Perlas aka Sam for the job. That is of course only if you are not 100% sure of your pearl identification and treatment spotting skills. Otherwise, you'll do just fine.

Zeide

 

[jshepherd]

I also suggest you limit your golden South Sea pearl shopping to Hong Kong, not Guangzhou. If you are looking at a round, 30" strand, it is not from China. If it is, and it appears to be of fine quality, be wary, it is probably shell.
The goldens in the area nearly universally come from Indonesia or Philippines. There are large auctions held in Hong Kong, and the pearls are disseminated from there. If you can get into a wholesale company that deals in the golds (ie. Wong or Man Sang), you will get a good deal for your money (safely).

 

[butterfly]

Thanks Jeremy! Do you have their contact? If so, could you please send it to me by private message? By the way, will they sell for just one or two strands? Lastly, what will be a reasonable price for that? Since I don't really know much about south sea pearls so your suggestions will be my guideline.

Many thanks!