I discovered this site by accident yesterday and like many other new members I am thrilled to have found this! Thankyou to so many of you who generously provide your advice and expertise - hopefully I will be able to do the same in the future.

I own a jewellery store in Australia and am slowly turning it towards being a specialty pearl store, which is my passion.

As you'll all know, Australia is a large source of South Sea pearls but the Australian public are largely unaware of their existence and don't realise how lucky we are to be able to produce and purchase these amazing gems. My ambition is to change that. I make jewellery using a mixture of South Sea, freshwater (yes, they can be combined beautifully), gemstones, 18ct gold, silk tassels and ribbons in delicate colours all designed to highlight the natural beauty of pearls.

I've made several trips to Hong Kong for freshwater pearls and gems and Im about to go back in a couple of weeks. Last time I ventured over the border into Shenzhen on my last day and discovered that the "retail" prices on offer in stores there seemed lower than the wholesale prices that I've been paying with some of the Hong Kong companies!

I had been toying with the idea of venturing further into China this time but after reading through the forums, have decided against it - (I'm youngish, blonde and pale, travelling alone, have no concept of the language, not buying huge quantities, and limited in time. This may help you to understand why Im being a chicken).

My question to the other members is this - does anyone know of any pearl factories or wholesalers operating in Shenzhen? Im hoping that by purchasing from a wholesaler in China rather that HK, I'll save some money - even if Shenzhen is not that far away.

Other questions that I have are - should I be trying to negotiate a better price with my Hong Kong wholesalers? I have always just paid their asking price (possibly I am incredibly naive but since the price has been half of what I was paying in Australia, I accepted that). Do most HK pearl/gem companies expect us to bargain over their prices? Can anyone give their thoughts on this?

Thanks again guys,
Kirsty

[jshepherd]

Hi Kristy;

If you are not going to be making large purchases I would suggest just staying in Hong Kong. Shezhen is not really a "pearl center" as Tsim Sha Tsui is. What I suggest is finding a better wholesaler in HK.

Most of the HK companies are strictly traders. There are very few that actually have a production base in China - although they will tell you they do as I am sure your current supplier has. You need to weed through the thousands of traders there to find a good supplier.

I would really suggest Shaxiahu on the 10th floor of Railway Plaza off Chatham Road. The prices will still be 2-3 x over Zhuji, but less than half your average wholesale in HK. Make sure to buy by the kilo. If you come in asking to purchase by the strand they will take you for a ride. If you way you want to purchase by the pound, they will not take you seriously. Buy by the kilo!

Also, of course you need to negotiate. The prices offered are their highest asking prices. Even if you are just purchasing a few pieces you should be able to get them at least 25% down. If you are purchasing quite a bit, go for 50%. But make sure to get pricing on all lots you are interested in purchasing before you start negotiating.

Thankyou so much Jeremy for that priceless advice - I will indeed try Shanxiahu AND I'll try to be tough and mean with negotiating. I suppose I'll only need to go to Shenzhen to top-up my fake handbag collection...

All the best in your ventures (Love your website!).

Kirsty

[Pearl Guy]

Hi Ms. K,

I understand your apprehension over traveling to mainland China in your quest for lower costs. I am an American working in mainland China and I am glad I have a good support network over which enables me to travel about locally with little worry.

We may be able to benefit one another as we have, as I see it, two needs which are complementary and one shared goal as well.

I am very new to the pearl business and am just beginning my study and hope to turn this new passion into a full time occupation soon. As such, I would like to learn from you the retail side of the pearl business. I will most likely become a wholesaler/distributor to small mom and pop jewelry stores, at least in the beginning. I would like to learn how to present myself and my business in the most favorable way to sell to retailers.

I am also very fortunate to have obtained through a friend a local source for freshwater pearls here in mainland China. This contact is honest and reliable and best of all speaks excellent English, yay! So, I may be able to aid you in your quest for an honest reliable and less expensive supplier.

Feel free to contact me and we can discuss this further. And good luck in your pearling adventures

Pearl Guy,

Is there an optimum time when freshwater pearl farmers harvest in China and, if so, when is the best time to go there to buy? Thanks for any info...

J. Larry Railey

[jshepherd]

They are harvesting now. Best selection is in January. Best prices are during and after an HK show (the stuff that did not go), and just before a new harvest starts, but the selection is more limited.

You are always going to pay a bit of a premium immediately after harvest. All the factories have it in their minds that prices need to increase, every year, every time. Their is definite cooperation that takes place, but it is China, so if you do not need to buy you just wait for the undercut.