The holiday season is in full swing and this also signals the end of 2005. This past year has been remarkable for Imperial in so many ways. We want to sincerely thank each and every one of you...our dear and loyal friends with whom we share a past and our new friends who we welcome into the "Imperial Family".

It is our belief an enhanced knowledge of the cultured pearl product category results in greater sales and an increased passion for pearls.

We know that many sales people in jewelry stores are not comfortable when it comes to pearls. They know their diamonds, but pearls are a different animal. The following is a quick review of what you need to let your sales staff know to give your customers confidence in your pearl knowledge. This guide is in .pdf format.

Melo Melo pearls are extremely rare and come not from an oyster or mollusk but instead from the Melo Melo marine snail, which is found in the waters of the South Chine Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Like conch pearls, the Melo Melo gem is not actually a pearl because it contains no nacre. They can be extremely large and are generally very round. The colors range from tan to dark brown. Orange is the most desirable color.

One of the largest discovered is nearly the size of a golf ball! The pearl's colors range from tan to dark brown, with orange being the most desirable color. Also like the conch pearl, the color is believed to be subject to fading over time.

In response to your question, please be advised that the Melo Pearl is the biggest and roundest natural Melo Pearl in the world and it is impossible to find another one like this. That's because it will take several millions years to form a pearl in the Melo Melo. The Indian Volute, (another name for the Melo) is very rare to find a pearl in. Originally, the former Yugoslavian Prince-- the vice president -- Mr. Domitri Karageorge in Sotheby suggested not to sell it by auction and he offered about USD 5 million for it at Taiwan Sotheby about 3 years ago. Then, he offered about USD 7 million after he got back to USA from Taiwan. Nevertheless, the owner still didn't accept it. Anyway, it is very possible that the owner will accept if you bid a little more. How much would you offer for the No.1 natural Melo Pearl? As a middle man, I would do my best to achieve this as soon as possible.

If you would like to buy this pearl you can contact Ray Chen +886-910567954 or raychentw@hotmail.com

Although researchers are attempting to culture them, none have yet succeeded. All Melo Melo pearls are natural. Although these pearls have been collected in Asia for many years, they have only recently been introduced into the West. more

Did they once belong to Vietnam's royal family? Perhaps, but for Ben Zucker, a mystical "sleuth" of the gems trade, seeking the answer matters more than finding it. more

Pearl experts focus on the unique.

JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone -- 6/4/2005

"My customers don't want their mother's classic look," said Eve Alfille, a retail jeweler in Evanston, Ill., during the Pearl Panel discussion that took place Thursday morning at the JCK Show ~ Las Vegas 2005. "They want something unique." Alfille said she gives her customers what they want: unusual strands of multicolor black Tahitians, South Seas golds, Chinese freshwater pinks, and unusual shapes such as Australian keshi pearls.

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Dedicated to pearl lovers everywhere, The Pearl Society disseminates information about pearls and their habitats, their history, culture and eternal , magical appeal.