[jshepherd]

Just received the following invitation today.

1st Tahiti Pearls International Auction

November, 21 & 22, 2007

Under the high patronage

Of the Government of French Polynesia

And the Ministry for Perliculture

The economic interest group Perles de Tahiti invites

The company: PEARL PARADISE.COM

To take part to the 1st Tahiti Cultured Pearls private sales,

on Nov 22, 2007 at Papeete, Sheraton hotel Tahiti
Viewing from Nov 19 to 21, 2007 at Sheraton hotel Tahiti

[GemGeek]

Clean 'em out!!! Go Jeremy!

[Valeria101]

Sounds serious. Is it?


There's an entire library out there about the sight-holder system in the diamond industry. Not much about pearls... Is there anything similar?

[Ashley]

**WOW**

Have fun!

[john675]

That is so cool! Jeremy, if you need a bilingual English/French translator, just give me a call...
John

[nlerner]

Go, go, enjoy and share with us special moments and photos.

Good luck !!!

[Manutea]

Jealous, jealous..... I'm sooooooo JEALOUS!

Have a great time!

Manu

[jshepherd]

I actually have not decided to attend yet. I am waiting to hear about the lots that are going to be offered.

[knotty panda]

Originally Posted by jshepherd

... South Sea pearls are in a totally different league when buying and selling wholesale. Because producers sell them at auction, you are not going to find a "special place" to get them cheaper than the other guy. The best possible price will always be right around yearly market value. And to get that good price you have to be willing and able to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, and have a producer willing to sell to you. ...

Once again, I'm confused. Is this an attempt to regulate how Tahitians are sold in a fashion similar what you described above?

Originally Posted by Valeria101

There's an entire library out there about the sight-holder system in the diamond industry. Not much about pearls... Is there anything similar?

What is a sight-holder system? Thanks!

[xeresana]

I think I'm in the wrong career. I want to go to Tahiti...on business.

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Once again, I'm confused. Is this an attempt to regulate how Tahitians are sold in a fashion similar what you described above?



What is a sight-holder system? Thanks!

De Beers once had complete control of the diamond market. They sold their diamonds only to companies that held "sights" - I think it's an old dutch word. Basically, as a sight-holder, you are allowed to purchase a lot of diamonds directly from De Beers. You give them a list of what you'd like and De Beers gives you a box of what they have that may or may not completely meet your needs. If you refuse to purchase the lot, you may lose your sight. De Beers used to stockpile diamonds to keep the prices high during times of high production.

Tanzanite One, a tanzanite cartel, is trying to do the same thing with the tanzanite market with mixed success.

De Beers still has sight holders that meet several times a year to purchase diamonds, but due to mines outside their control - Argyle in Australia and Ekati in Canada, for instance, they no longer control diamond prices.

FYI

[jshepherd]

Tahitian pearls have always sold at auction. But there are so many producers and different groups of producers that there is no real centralized system of selling. But auctions are very commonplace. I personally prefer direct sale.

The enticement of this auction is the fact that it appears to be completely impromptu, and closely follows a recent auction in HK. There might not be much competition. Then again, the floor prices may be "out to lunch".

I think Stuller is a sight-holder. I have not found their diamond prices really competitive, however.

[GemGeek]

Stuller is a sight-holder (and a fun guy). But after having them cut, etc, a fellow has to make some money. The tiny margin on diamonds is one of the factors driving the market to pearls. (see Iridesse)

[jshepherd]

A quick update on the auction.

We are actually participating. I am here in LA but I sent Anna to Papeete to bid in person. There are a lot of companies represented, in fact Mikimoto has already won some lots.

We have only won one lot so far but the auction is not half over yet.

[Mandy]

Are you up to showing some of the pearls in the lot(s) you've won/hope to win? That would be great, IMO I didn't know Tahitians lots could be purchased via auction...ya learn something every day!