Chinese South Sea Pearls?

[lambskin]

I love this site and learn everyday-thank you. But I am confused. Please correct me where I am wrong. South Sea pearls are not Tahitians. South Sea Pearls are cultured in both Australia and China and perhaps smaller southeast nations. The colors range from white to golden. The SS pearls from China are from both fresh and salt waters. SS pearls from China are dyed to enhance the gold color. I am going to Shanghai this summer and want to buy some pearls at Pearl City and want to make sure I can make informed purchases. Any input is most appreciated. Thank you

[pearlescence]

Hi
South Sea pearls are cultured in Australia and Thailand (and a few farms elsewhere) They are NOT ever cultured in China. Never never never. only fakes. South sea pearls come, as their name suggests, only from the sea. True gold south sea pearls are never dyed.

There are some remarkable look-alikes coming from China but these are freshwater bead nucleateds and are not south sea pearls (and cost about a tenth of the price) If anyone in China (with only one or two proper trade exceptions) tries to sell you south sea pearls you can laugh and then leave without another word.

Indeed I recommend that you pick up some nice freshwaters as a souvenir in China and buy the expensive pearls from a reputable dealer (perhaps someone who posts here) when you get home. (I'm guessing you are not from UK because you spelled color not colour)

[perlinda]

I love this site and learn everyday-thank you. But I am confused. Please correct me where I am wrong. South Sea pearls are not Tahitians. South Sea Pearls are cultured in both Australia and China and perhaps smaller southeast nations. The colors range from white to golden. The SS pearls from China are from both fresh and salt waters. SS pearls from China are dyed to enhance the gold color. I am going to Shanghai this summer and want to buy some pearls at Pearl City and want to make sure I can make informed purchases. Any input is most appreciated. Thank you

Many things to cover.. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

- South Sea pearls are not Tahitians - correct, SSP's mollusk is Pinctada Maxima while Tahitian's is Pinctada Margaritafera.
- South Sea Pearls are cultured in both Australia and China and perhaps smaller southeast nations - SSP are cultured mainly in Australia, Philippines and Indonesia. China imports SSP from these countries.
- The SS pearls from China are from both fresh and salt waters. - SSP are only saltwater. China produces freshwater pearls which are from different mollusk species than SSP.
- SS pearls from China are dyed to enhance the gold color - I have no knowledge about this about this.

As Wendy said, it's better if you stick with freshwater pearls in China. I think you still can find genuine south sea pearls (Amrita is selling them and she's in China), but don't take risk if you're not sure what you're getting.

[Amrita]

Thanks Perlinda - you summed it all up pretty nice and clear! SSP are NOT from China, but from Australia, Indonesia and Philippines. There are however are a few pearl dealers in China like myself that have them for sale.

[pearlescence]

Did I write Thailand - what or rather where was I thinking?
South sea pearls come from Pinctada Maxima which is farmed /cultured mainly in Australia, Philippines and Indonesia.The pearls are not dyed. There is no such thing as a freshwater south SEA pearl (from anywhere)