| Origin has absolutely no bearing on the value. Quality is the only attribute that can matter because origin cannot be proven. The product is identical. Think of it in terms of a diamond or gold. 14k is 14k, no matter where it is mined. The same goes for diamonds.
Even the mollusk is identical. Some will claim that the Chinese use a hybrized mollusk. This is true. But in 1996 disease wiped out Japan pearl oyster population. To save their industry they imported shell from China. For the last 10 years now, even the mollusks are exactly the same. |