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Pearl Section
Melos and their Pearls in Vietnam
This report forms part of a series of simple yet informative reports that describe field trips undertaken by GIA Field Gemologists In May 27th 2009,
VP and his traveling companions (Jean Baptiste Senoble and Kham Vannaxay (France), Lou Pierre Bryl (Canada), David Bright (USA)) were visiting the melo pearl lady, who again took time to discuss with the group her favorite pearls and showed three interesting pearls including one she obtained recently from a Cat Ba Island fisherman. The pearl was not the largest or the best VP had seen but this time he had some information about its origin.
In defense of Japanese Akoya
It is true that over the years the production of Japanese Akoya has decreased
and it is a small fraction of the peak years of the late 1960s. Pollution, red
tide, overproduction and Chinese and Japanese Akoya and Freshwater cultured
pearls have contributed to their decline.
This year the raw material auctions of Japanese Akoya that are normally held in
January were moved to March because of the economic downturn of September 08.
Since there is only one time a year when the raw material is auctioned, this was
a major blow to cultivators who count on getting money for their crops in
January and now have to wait until March. On top of this, because of the
deteriorating economic conditions, there were no guarantees that their
production would sell.
As a result, cultivators in weak financial positions sold their production at a
reduced price and a number of them went out of business. The surviving
cultivators did not purchase as many oysters as usual for future production
because of the uncertain financial conditions and this could lead to a scarcity
in the next 2 years.
In spite of all the uncertainty, there are bright signs for Japanese Akoya. The
production and processing is now in the hands of fewer companies who are in
strong financial condition. The cultivators and processors now work together to
produce sizes of pearls that are in demand and not produce only larger sizes as
in the past because pearls are sold by weight and larger pearls weigh more.
There is less chance of overproduction as we are now seeing in the South Sea,
Tahitian, and Chinese Akoya and Freshwater markets. European markets are
returning to Japanese Akoya because they prefer heavy coated, lustrous pearls
and they don't mind a certain degree of spotting. Chinese Akoya and Freshwater
cannot compete with the Japanese Akoya when you are looking for this type of
pearl. U.S. markets are using Japanese Akoya for a lustrous, clean, smooth
skinned alternative to South Sea and Freshwater.
Even though Japanese Akoya is not the dominate pearl that it once was, it still
has a place in the world market. This year's production reminds us of the early
years of Japanese Akoya production. The pearls have a heavy coating, are smooth
skinned, lustrous and are much cleaner than in more recent years. It is a
pleasure to see them again becoming what they originally were.
Terry D'elia
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A brief Analysis of the Global
Seawater Cultured Pearl Industry
(Past, Present, Future)
Andy Muller made a presentation at the European Gemological Symposium which was held this year in Berne, Switzerland. Here is the hand out of that report
Curator reveals fascinating facts about pearls
PEARLS come in all colours, shapes and sizes,
and range from black to golden to the palest pink. And, contrary to popular
belief, they are not formed by a grain of sand getting inside an oyster.
These were just some of the fascinating facts revealed by Dr Hubert Bari,
the curator of gems and jewellery at the Museum of Islamic Art, at the
opening meeting of the Qatar Natural History Group’s new season on
Wednesday.
Almost 200 members turned up to hear Dr Bari endeavouring to dispel the
fantasies surrounding the subject of pearls and reveal the reality
Past Pearl Education Articles Unusual Pearls Pearl Farming around The World Pearl Forums
