SHOULD I BUY PEARLS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA?

It is impossible to give an unequivocal answer: you can either buy really quality pearls/ware, or overpay for mediocre pearls and low-quality goods. Our recommendations for travelers are as follows:

A necessary minimum info about the pricing of Pearls:

1) shape - most expensive Ball and Baroque;

2) Luster - cloudy pearls have no value whatever their shape;

3) surface quality - the more flaws, the cheaper), but pearls without flaws are extremely rare;

4) size - anything larger than 9 mm increases in price disproportionately for each mm;

5) Concentric circles permitted only in cheap costume jewelry pearls.

- Do not look at the tags, you may write as many as 10 letters A - this is the seller's will. The only document that confirms the quality characteristics of pearls is a certificate from an independent gemological laboratory, better an international and well-known one:) but such certificates cost money, and only very valuable pearls are given for examination. Believe what you see, not what the seller says.

- All the recommendations refer to freshwater pearls. Only a professional can tell sea pearl from freshwater pearl.

- If you buy pearls in the jewelry pieces, pay attention to the quality of workmanship, and avoid fancy designs.

- Keep in mind that it is illegal to catch wild pearls!

 99.9 percent of the market is cultured pearls.

- If it is possible, go to a store specializing in the sale of pearls and look at different samples with different cost with your own eyes.

   This is the minimum information we can help you with. Talking to customers in the stores, we have heard different stories about buying Pearls on trips.

We hope that our guide will help you avoid to be cheated and bring back very valuable specimens from your trips! After all, pearls haven’t lost their relevance for centuries!

With love, Lerian