| Oh - this is just sad. AP is trying so hard to convince everyone that only 100% Japanese pearls are of any value. I personally like one of their marketing techniques were they talk about the JPEA tag. In their text they say that Chinese Akoya are "worth less" - but if you are just reading along, your mind will interpret it as "worthless".
Here are some truths that you will never find posted in that forum or on their site:
1) Japanese Akoya farmers do not sell directly to retailers - Akoya pearls are purchased in Japan from the pearl factories
2) Japan is one of the largest importers of Akoya pearls from China
3) The pearl factories in Japan mix all the pearls from China and all the pearls from Japan in together - there is no designation between the two
So - anyone contemplating on whether their information is accurate, just keep those three things in mind. |