Buying Pearls In China Guide

A vendor will likely pull out "hanks"—long bundles of unstrung pearls—in the size range you request. You might see a variety of types:

Your journey typically begins at a legendary "Pearl Capital" like or a multi-story hub such as Hongqiao Market in Beijing. In Beijing, the ground floors are often packed with smaller stalls, while the top floor houses more serious, established sellers. The air is thick with the scent of saltwater and the click-clack of thousands of loose gems being sorted by size and luster. The Selection Ritual buying pearls in china

: China's specialty, these are cultured in lakes and offer incredible value. A vendor will likely pull out "hanks"—long bundles

: Often dyed if they are black, these have a classic, high-luster look but can sometimes have thinner nacre if they are "short-cultured". The air is thick with the scent of