To lower the density of cultivation to enable oysters to absorb more nutrients and produce a higher percentage of good-quality pearls, Jewelmer International Corporation in Makati City in the Philippines recently started operations in its sixth pearl farm.
The farm, with a concession for 5,000 hectares of sea, is just 5 kilometres from one of the company's existing farms in the Palawan area. The company has joint-venture interests in six farms, covering a total marine area of more than 30,000 hectares in various areas in the Philippines.
Company managing director, Jacques Branellec, said: "The new farm is a risky one in the sense that it is located in further out in the open sea and is more exposed to big waves and storms. Our thinking is that without taking risks we cannot produce outstanding pearls, and we want to push quality to the limit.
"By having several farms, even if one farm is destroyed our overall operation will still be able to survive."
He said the farm - with virgin oysters already seeded - would have its first harvest in two and a half years. At this stage the producer is starting with an experimental density only, but will increase the volume later.
Philippine production stabilises at 600 kan
Mr Branellec said the Philippines' pearl production has been fairly stable at around 600 kan a year. "Nearly 20 pearl farmers operate in the country. As far as we know nobody plans to increase their production volume; rather farmers are focusing on improving quality. Despite an increase in costs of production owing to higher prices of oil, pearl nuclei and imported machinery such as that for cleaning shells, as well as added costs among pearl farmers actively supporting sustainable livelihood projects in neighbouring communities geared towards environmental protection, none of the pearl producers is dropping out of the race. All the above-mentioned factors have resulted in added costs, but the costs are still being continually monitored."
No concern over rising production
Some pearl traders worry that there may be overproduction of South Sea pearls. Production for 2005 is estimated at 2,000 kan. However, Mr Branellec said he doesn't think that should be a source of concern. "2,000 kan is not much for white and golden South Sea pearls combined if you look at Tahitian pearl production. Tahitian pearls are doing well and their prices are strengthening. Natural-coloured white and golden South Sea pearls command a higher price than their Tahitian counterparts in general, but we observe that a whole range of South Sea pearls in different qualities, colours, shapres and sizes tend to create and sustain new markets.
"When the day comes that every woman walking in the street is wearing a pearl, it may be time to think about overproduction. All pearl producers' efforts are dedicated towards encouraging women to embrace their passion for pearls. As long as that passion is burning, there will always be room for expansion."
9mm to 10mm sell fast
Philippine South Sea pearls range from 8mm up to 17mm, with the average size about 11.5mm, said Mr Branellec.
With regard to top sellers, he said more people are buying smaller pearls of 9mm to 10mm because they are a good size from which to start.
He said the year 2006 started well, and believes that most people in the pearl trade are looking forward to a prosperous year. "To me, pearl farmers do not compete against each other. Instead, they have a philosophy of complementariness, where the market is big enough for pearls from different countries, where each country has its own originality and where there is a pearl for each taste."
