[jshepherd]

Zeide, those subsidies are a thing of the past. The only government intervention that I am aware of (currently) is to stem the tide of low-end pieces that enthrall the beaders. This is a "collecting" subsidy not a "farming" subsidy. With the prices of low-end freshwater and the actual harvest ratio of fine jewelry quality, it has been more profitable to farm rice than pearls in Zhejiang for the last 2 years. This is why production levels are dropping.

Although I cannot see myself wearing the Tahitian bracelet Kevin designed, I definitely can see where he is going with it. He is trying to create a new piece for a particular demographic. He needs value and quality. Yes, the potato shape, dyed freshwater can look manly, but with a sterling silver clasp they would cost less than $2 to produce and have very little "real" jewelry value. With Tahitian pearls (albeit bead nucleated, but of naturally black color), the piece has value - and is of interest to men who want a masculine piece of valuable jewelry. Yes, freshwater pearls that are off-round, cracked, and all around unique are pearls, but they would not appeal to most men, and the value (even after past subsidies) would be less than a sterling silver bracelet - not what the demographic would want to flaunt.

Regarding durability, it would take a lot to break today's Tahitian pearls, or even scratch them for that matter. Those that drill will attest that even a cracked Tahitian is difficult to break without a hammer. I would not feel uncomfortable selling a Tahitian pearl bracelet to a man (if he wanted one to wear) from a durability stand point. I would also not expect a man to wear the bracelet on the same wrist as a watch.

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Jeremy,

I think it was specifically my point that the subsidies are a thing of the past and free land allotments are being assigned otherwise. What is keeping the pearl prices down is a) price expectation and b) pipeline stock (residual quantity). But then, it is the Chinese government's opinion that they have already destroyed the Japanese pearl industry and their new target is the Japanese car industry.

If you want to keep complaints at a minimum, I think your male bracelet wearer should be made aware of the undesirability of pairing watches and pearl bracelets.

Zeide

[Caitlin]

Hi Jeremy
I am the one who claimed the industry was highly subsidized. I will fix it to past tense.

I really do hope the government stems the tide of garishly-dyed bead quality CFWP. I have commented since I came to this forum about the tons and tons stacked up at the Gem Show every year. Big plastic wrapped boxes, stacked up between booths 6’ high, that are there on day one and still there at the end. I swear I see them the year after too. There are literally acres and acres of pearls out on tables. And only some of the garish stuff moves, mostly it sits there. What sells is the new stuff the traders bring in, such as. 5-6mm with A+ roundness and AAA luster for $4, the 9mm very good surfaces and luster-buttons for $8. The new stuff is often gone in hours! The old stuff just sits there getting cheaper and cheaper.

At the prices you quote, I would be so happy to buy large (12mm and over) potato-y CFWP jewelry from you, all made up, at $2-4, because I could resell it at a big profit. The market I sell to does not mark up a small percent, the way you do. I have requested 12-14mm, rough surfaces or slightly off round-potatoy, ok, if the luster is good, from 5-6 buyers so far,none of whom has come through, and then 2 of them sent me 9mm-11mm anyway.

[jshepherd]

Caitlin,

One of these days you will have to come with me to Zhuji. Maybe when we are shooting the next film. Yes guys, another one is coming. This will be one on the FW industry (high def) and a full 45 minutes instead of 15.

You could really go nuts there with the above described types of pearls. You would have to bring an empty suitcase for sure.

[Caitlin]

You need a lighting technician? A key grip or a gaffer? Best Boy? Crew member? My hubby does all of above. He has a film/video resume 3 single-space pages long and a 4th page with a collage of movie pix.... Want me to send it? I do wardrobe. ........

[AnnaDK]

Making CFWP to look like baroque tahitians is pointless. The way Pearls of Joy has set up his bracelet is the way to go in order to appeal to the pearly side of men. Tahitians are considered more "hip"-- a number of male celebrities have recently been sporting tahitian pearls. They provide an organic alternative to the "bling" of diamonds in male jewelry and are quickly gaining ground as a new fashion trend. In Europe, it is even more common for men to wear tahitian pearl jewelry.
CFWP mean nothing to men. In regards to their durability, I trust Terry's tests completely. They were also a joke: a bead-nucleated pearl does not make the pearl weak or brittle.
Fact of the matter is Tahitians were introduced later into the pearl business and are the "hot" pearl. In order to combine a "hot/new" item like a mens pearl bracelet, one needs the "it" pearl. You got it right, Pearls of Joy.

[Caitlin]

Hi Kevin
To bring my comments on this thread back to you, I hope you will let us know how this idea goes. I learned something about your customers from the responses I got from my suggestions. I am sure your instincts are perfect- after all you are the one who knows your customers!

[Kevin Canning]

well one thing we need to accept is my views on pearls and fashion are not going to be the same as say Zeidi's or Caitlin's - that is what makes this forum great, there is diversity.

As Anna said, Tahitian's are hot right now and a dyed freshwater pearl that is made to look like a Tahitian pearl is only going to seem like a cheap knock off - even if its all nacre.

If you want to keep complaints at a minimum, I think your male bracelet wearer should be made aware of the undesirability of pairing watches and pearl bracelets.

As a 20 something male that wears jewelry, I've never worn a watch and a bracelet on the same wrist - so I see that as a non issue. Also in the years I've been dealing in pearls and the 1000's of customers I've dealt with, I have not once had a complaint about scratching, gouging or cracking. I'm not saying it can't or doesn't happen, but i think pearls are a lot more durable then we give them credit for.

But like I said above, we all have different view points and the last thing I would want is a forum where everybody is sitting around rubbing each others back - your opinions are appreciated even if they don't match mine.

[Caitlin]

Kevin
OK I've got it now. You create the market with the Tahitians, I'll go to China, get a suitcase of CFW pearls, and do the "knockoffs"! And I won't worry about competition from you, cuz you won't do them in CFWP- deal?

[Satine De La Courcel]

Caitlyn..

LOL...... I to really enjoy CFWP..... but for what I do people really do not know much about them.. only they want big, cheap and real pearls..... Upon occasion I do a simple comission pieces for those who do 1500's garments.....


AS for you being a beader..the stuff You have posted is Beautiful!!!!!


cheers
ASh

[Kevin Canning]

well I thought I would report that I wore one of the bracelets that I designed out to a few trendy night spots on the weekend and it was a big hit. I do wear jewelry on occasion but I rarely get any comments, but this piece did attract a good deal of attention and a few inquires on where others could get the piece.

So I am happy to announce that it appears that the public is ready to see males wearing more then a single pearl pendant or cufflinks and my piece will be available at www.PearlsOfJoy.com by the end of this week.

Thanks for the input guys and Caitlin if you want one in freshwater pearls I'd be happy to send you one, just PM me.

[perlas]

if i were a man wearing a tahitian bracelet together with my watch, i'd be more concerned about the tahitian pearls smashing the glass of my watch.