| Hi Caitlin,
There are two Australian fellows culturing p.maxima in Phu Quoc with good success. They get some really big goldens---some are going for around $500USD per pearl to visitors. This past spring, a full necklace of big goldens was going for $16,000USD.
Akoya culturing in Vietnam is strong. Freshwaters pop up here and there. The Vietnamese are very crafty and resourceful, so I've no doubt that they will be major players in the global pearl market in the next few years.
As for the natural black freshwaters, I personally think it has more to do with what the farmer is putting in the water(colour cultured) than the actual mussel type. No word on him or his venture.
Hi Josh,
The Vietnamese jewellery artist has already succeeded in nucleating with quartz beads. His work has been around for a couple of years now.
Slraep |