| Hi Spaceneedle,
Hong Kong does not always produce lower prices. It's unknown how but there are pearls that get sold there that could not possibly have paid the official export tax.
As a farmer, it's important to me that I sell pearls I am proud of and that I feel represent what I'm doing. In the pearl game you are always going to find cheaper if you look hard enough but I forever hope that a quality product, produced in a thoughtful way will be about more than just money.
In regards to the auction in Tahiti, it was not my understanding that it was invite only. Anyone on this board in the trade who would like to attend the next auction in March, please PM me and I'll see what I can do to help. I'll have pearls in that auction and I think I can speak for my fellow farmers when I say that the more buyers, the better. I may get in trouble for sticking my neck out this way but I don't mind. Done it before and I'll do it again. |