[CortezPearls]

Just my 2 cents...being an actual Pearl Farmer I think I can say a thing or two about the subject.

The technology is easy: floats, lines, boats, cages. The hard part is finding good employees that will want to work doing this, that the weather cooperates (and I guess you have all heard about Global Warming and hurricanes), that the Government cooperates with you (Pearl Farming in China is somewhat different from Pearl Farming in -lets say- the USA: different standards, including the environmental and taxation issues), the presence of poachers (or Pirates...not the Johny Depp nor Bill Gates varieties), diseases, pollution, etc. Another problem is having your own pearl technicians, but this has become easier thanks to China and its training platform. It helps a lot when your government knows what it wants (even if this means a total lack of interest on other related issues...say, the environment) and actively promotes an industry.

Actually, when people ask me how good a business this is I have to say: I love doing this, it is a good business and feel great about producing this beautiful gem...but selling "Tacos de Carne Asada" on a "Taco Stand" will land you more money and give you less worries (at least in Mexico). In the end, you do it because you are more stubborn than bright.