I just returned from Tahiti from a buying trip. The price of lower and medium quality pearls are definitely down the price of larger and Gem quality pearls are not lower. The price of the latter pearls in US dollars is in fact up since for the last 5 years or so Tahitian pearls have been sold at auction in Euros . The reason is that demand in the US is down this spring. Retailers came off a disappointing fourth quarter and have been reluctant to restock going into spring. The pearl Auctions had a lower percent of lots sold and those pearls are still on the market.

There are a lot of 8mm -10mm pearls on the market right now and I was able to get some great deals. The weak dollar high gold and energy prices plus a poor economy hurts the whole world and Tahitian Pearls are not immune.

The up side is that I have a large quantity of nice pearls at prices never before available.
I hope to introduce retailers and consumers to Tahitian pearls that have thought they were to expensive. With strands starting at $300 retail and earrings at $50 in the long run the market for Tahitian pearls will certainly grow.