Hello there, my name is Pierrette d'Entremont. This will be my first post (edited because i reread it and i didn't get my point right) though I bumped into the forum a couple of months ago and it's GREAT!

I have a question about what to expect when buying wholesale pearl /kilo. I buy my pearls in Hong Kong, from a manufacturer whose pearls are supposedly from a farm co-op in Lake Tai. Their prices seem high, but other places quote completely different prices (higher and lower). I've stayed with this company because they've always come through and their pearls are much higher quality than most I see in my competitors collections (I am a Canadian jewelry designer and have a passion for pearls, researching pearls, collecting pearls .... )

I guess I'm looking for feedback since I have no one to bounce information from. So many things are in play.

*The fact that there is no concrete grading system, obviously puts the onus on me to know what I'm talking about. I've been learning about pearls since about '96, I also have my Pearls certificate and AJP from GIA and as much independant information I can find and read about. I am limited to companies with internet access and I always like to have scans or pictures before I buy. Is there anything else I can do.

*Though one day I would love to take the trip, I am not financially able right now. My next questions is: who to buy from. I've been approached by various companies and found others myself. I'm not sure if I'm safer buying from a manufacturing/processing company based in Hong Kong, or if I should try the smaller farms or co-ops that manufacture themselves and are ready to export. Is there a rule of thumb for people like me,... far far away and vulnerable.

I hope I'm clearer, any comments would be appreciated

Pierrette d'Entremont

Originally Posted by pierrettedE

Hello there, my name is Pierrette d'Entremont...


...The fact that there is no concrete grading system, obviously puts the onus on me to know what I'm talking about. I've been learning about pearls since about '96, I also have my Pearls certificate and AJP from GIA and as much independant information I can find and read about. I am limited to companies with internet access and I always like to have scans or pictures before I buy. Is there anything else I can do...

You've taken the GIA course so you know how to examine pearls, so now you have to learn to grade them yourself, and to determine the price for each grade. Learning to price them is the most difficult part because within each grade that you set up, there will be a wide spread of quality and price.

Unless one is going to China and buying in large quantities, sometimes it is more economical to buy from an importer in Canada or the US because they deal in large quantities and can buy at a better price.

You may want to take a look at my grading system, which is a combination of the GIA system and one that one of my suppliers uses. With this system I am able to communicate what I am selling, and what I want to purchase when I'm in China, without any misunderstanding. http://pearlsandjade.zoovy.com/c=tsU...rgradingsystem

I don't know what type or quality pearls you're looking for, but if you would like to send me an email we can discuss what you need and we may be able to help you.

Good luck,

Bill

[jshepherd]

What size and quality of freshwater are you purchasing? Describe the shape, luster, and surface quality and I should be able to give you are pretty good estimate of a good per kilo price.
Typically you will always pay more in Hong Kong than you will in China. Even companies that have offices in HK and the Mainland will charge a premium if you are buying in HK.

Thank you for your replies. In this province of mine that's 900 miles long, I haven't found anyone with whom I can pearl talk yet! I've got a few decent pictures of strands that I use. My website shows many pieces using pearls. the nicest ones being the newest (freshwater pearls. *I use akoya, South Sea and Tahitians only in custom pieces).

I find it difficult to guage any prices at all because I seem to have no base. Visiting local/national and chain jewellers I find extreemly high prices for very low quality freshwater pearls. Wholesalers in Canada have some crazy high prices also it seems AND limited knowledge on their pearls (That's another story). I usually get South Sea, akoya and Tahitians from US importers (I buy too little of these to make it worth anyone's while otherwise).

Since I'm pretty much limited to the internet I get a lot of variation in pricing from manufacturers in Hong Kong. I also find a gap in descriptions. I try to use GIA terms so we can be grounded but often I find that i should be the one getting their terms right. ie colors, shapes. Like "send 6-7mm AAA rice/oval, multi natural (oranges, purples, whites), smooth, AA-AAA symetrical..." or "8mm round bluish-green irradiated, top quality please send pictures first"...

gee, if I had a penny for each time I wished just to BE there, ... I'd be there

But, yes i need a system of grading, a base for pricing and I need to get a grip on what the market is doing. Things change so quickly!

Originally Posted by pierrettedE

...I try to use GIA terms so we can be grounded but often I find that i should be the one getting their terms right. ie colors, shapes. Like "send 6-7mm AAA rice/oval, multi natural (oranges, purples, whites), smooth, AA-AAA symetrical..." or "8mm round bluish-green irradiated, top quality please send pictures first"...

You will do better to have them understand your description. Using the GIA description, or my modified description explains exactly what you want.

Every one of those dealers will have a different meaning for A, AA, or AAA, so using those grades doesn't work for you unless you know exactly what they mean by those grades. Colors are a separate issue, but the GIA color descriptions are a start.

Bill

[jshepherd]

This is a good basis for white pearls in Hong Kong. The prices will be similar in Zhejiang if you are purchasing small lots. These are for high-end pieces - round, clean, with excellent luster:
7.5----8mm USD 1300 - 1500/KILO

8----8.5mm USD 2000 - 2200/KILO

8.5----9mm USD 2500 - 2700/KILO

9----9.5mm USD 3400 - 4000/KILO

9.5---10mm USD 4500 - 5500/KILO

Originally Posted by jshepherd

This is a good basis for white pearls in Hong Kong. The prices will be similar in Zhejiang if you are purchasing small lots. These are for high-end pieces - round, clean, with excellent luster:
7.5----8mm USD 1300 - 1500/KILO

8----8.5mm USD 2000 - 2200/KILO

8.5----9mm USD 2500 - 2700/KILO

9----9.5mm USD 3400 - 4000/KILO

9.5---10mm USD 4500 - 5500/KILO

Hello Jeremy Shepherd, thanks for the info. I'm going to try to attach a picture here of a strand of my highest quality 8-8.5mm round whites. These would be what i use for my knotted strands or silk stations. I don't know if I can post more pictures but I'll also try my 8-9mm multi. (Just, white, peach, lilac. These were usually not so cleanly mixed before. The last batch I paid more, but this is what I got. They are better quality and there's no graduation in the shades like most multi-pastels. I'm not quite sure why they did it that way..). Lastly, my 8-9 near-round white.

Ok, here goes. ..oh gee only 39K pictures (..this is time passing as i size..)

Voila,

Pierrette d'Entremont

Bijoux Pierrette d'Entremont
www.pierrettedentremont.com