Philippine Freshwater Pearl Business Thrives
By Jodelen Ortiz
We see them all around, worn by the women of today’s society. Elegant, classic and timeless are words to describe them. If the diamond is called the “King of Gems”, the pearl is regarded as the “Queenly Gem”.
The two general types of pearls are saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls. Although there are saltwater pearls that grow from deep-sea oysters naturally, they are very rare and when sold cost a fortune. Some inventors discovered the process of pearl cultivation and this started the practice of pearl farming. Pearl farming caters to the demand of the market for the gem while keeping the balance of nature, according to scientists who study the industry’s impact on the environment. Understanding the basics of pearl culture process is key to appreciating its importance.
Pearl oysters and pearl mussels are the biological sources of saltwater and freshwater pearls, respectively. Tiny tissue grafts are implanted into the thick mantle of appropriate species. For freshwater pearls, it takes between 2 and 6 years after tissue injection to produce the pearls, with each mussel producing up to 50 pearls.
The color of the gem is influenced by the type of mussel used and the intricate mixture of the following elements: interference of light, body color or coloring matter and organic matrix. Freshwater pearls usually have less amount of organic material in their nacre than those of saltwater pearl oysters. This lacking in organic material allow the freshwater pearls to have a unique, glassy luster.
Philippines is called the “Pearl of the Orient Sea” and this could both apply figuratively and literally. The waters around our archipelago is very conducive to pearl culture that’s why some southwestern provinces have thriving pearl farms, Palawan having the most number. The famous jewelry store, Jewelmer, for example has a pearl farm in Busuanga, Palawan. There are many others who are usually co-owned by foreigners and are situated north of the Province. These pearl farms are culturing the saltwater pearls that are sold for several thousands apiece.
Outnumbering this saltwater pearl farms are those that cultivate freshwater pearls. They have been around for several decades when demand for cheaper kind of pearls shoot up. Freshwater pearls answered this demand with the additional advantage of innate durability, which naturally resists chipping, degeneration, and wear.
A single freshwater mollusk or mussel is capable of producing up to 50 pearls at a time as compared to their saltwater counterparts like Akoya oysters that nurture one or two precious pearls at a time. This capability of freshwater pearls to be produced en masse is the major reason why it is sold at much lower prices.
More on the freshwater pearl business and industry >>
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29 Responses to “Philippine Freshwater Pearl Business Thrives”
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Nice story about Philippine pearls.
Hello,
I’m looking for pearls 6,7,9 mm diameter “whiteout a hole!”
Not drilled
To start of only a few dozen.
Are you willing to make my a offer?
Best greetings from Holland
Leo Cahn
Good day.
i would like to start a business about selling these pearls in my small community. i have no contact persons from palawan where i can buy these bracelets, earrings, rings, and necklaces made up of pearls with discounts so i can sell them. can u help me?
Greetings.
I would like to have a contact in Palawan so I can purchase pearls at wholesale at a disount price. Can you help me? Thanks.
hi…im not from palawan,im from mindanao part of the philippines.im running my jewelry shop business.we makes pearls sets,gemstones,with gold and silver.id you wish to contact just email me at ladyjel33@yahoo.com…thanx
regards,
jel villanueva
villanueva jewelry shop
blk.#62 public market molave zamboanga del sur
mindanao philippines
hi…any interested about jewelry business you can start it with me.you can add me in yahoo messenger so that we can chat and u can know more about,my ym id is ladyjel33……thanx
cheers,
jel villanueva
philippines
hi im interested in this business .can you help me.its more attractive than diamond
To those who are interested we have pearl jewelry sets, pearl bracelets, earrings and necklaces. We also sell south sea pearls (by order only) in loose pearls. We give discount for resellers especially for Filipinos based in Europe, US and Canada where demand for pearls from the Philippines is high. Please visit our blogsite http://pearlsofpalawan.blogspot.com or email us at pearlsofpalawan@gmail.com .
hi, i have a few loose pearls for sale. they are saltwater pearls from around the zamboanga peninsula or nearby island-provinces, southern philippines. interested? for details n photos email me - galab66@yahoo.com. i could get more if there are buyers. let’s do this…
Hi! I’m a buisinesswoman just starting a fashion accessories business, one of the materials I am using is pearl, can you refer me to someone in Palawan, (if possible, directly to the Pearl Farm) whom I can buy pearls.
just started a business and would like contactin Palawan as a wholesale manufacture of fresh water pearls jewerly
Hello!! I run a home-based business and would like to add fresh-water pearls from Palawan to my line of products.Would you help me get in touch with the wholesaler/manufacturer in Palawan ? I am mostly interested in in-expensive fresh water necklace/earrings/bracelet sets or individuals of various colors
I just started a small boutique here in American Samoa and very interested in acquiring information about getting pearls to sell. Please direct me to some resources. Thank you, Iris
Glad that my article has lots of comments. You can contact me via email at jodelenortiz@gmail.com or jodelenortiz@yahoo.com (but really, I prefer gmail.)
Thanks!
hi.. I´m interested to start buy/sell business loose salt water pearls without holes.Please refer me to some direct sources.thanks
Hi Emma,
We sell raw south sea pearls (not drilled). You may check our site at http://pearlsbynemegiza.blogspot.com
You may also email us at nemegiza.internationale@gmail.com
Hi, where can I find the chasing pearls collection? I actually liked the gift set that had pearl studs in different colors. Thinking of getting a set for my mom. The article btw made me appreciate these precious gifts of nature all the more so its a good read. Please let me know where I can chase this chasing pearls collection. Thanks!
Hello We sell genuine A+ quality South sea pearls. Please check our website. thank you
hi jel,
upon seeing your invtation i got quickly interested in talking to you via YM coz im realy longing for this kind of business.actualy this is my future plan when i get home to start a new business.hoping you could share with me this such great ideas on how to start in this feild of jewelry production.
thanks
domingo from jeddah ksa.
Hi I would to know where to buy the pearls directly from the wholesaler I would like to start a business of pearls. Please help. Thank you
Hi there,
I would love to know more about buying pearl from the philippines (Wholesale) as I would love to start business in pearl selling. Thank You
For those who would like to do business with me, you can contact me via jodelenortiz@gmail.com. Thanks!
{Littlepwincess Said: @3:45 pm
Hi, where can I find the chasing pearls collection? I actually liked the gift set that had pearl studs in different colors. Thinking of getting a set for my mom. The article btw made me appreciate these precious gifts of nature all the more so its a good read. Please let me know where I can chase this chasing pearls collection. Thanks!}
Chasing Pearls Collection is the name of my business. Littlepwincess if you want, we can discuss about your requirements via email at jodelenortiz@gmail.com. See yah!
greetings of peace!
I am melanie from pampanga; I would like to put a small business regarding on pearls,is it possible for you to give me a direct contact with a very good quality with a good price!,I hope these letter will merit and hope to see your response once you had read my letter;again thanks from reading my letter and hope I can be able to start a small business very soon! thank you and Godbless
it is very interesting topic when it comes to peal alot of people would like to have one and even I would love to start a small pearl business!
Hi Melanie,
What’s your email address?
Need some help,
You have a very nice info.about pearl. I’m looking to start a small business in States and I don’t know who I can contact to get some pearls.
I hope you can give me a contact person where I can buy some pearls.
Looking forward to your responce
hi,
need help, where is the place or location of palawan pearl farms pls email me,i want to start my small business i buy the pearl kg in wholesaler price i design it self…thanks
I would love to know more about buying pearl from the philippines (Wholesale) as I would love to start business in pearl selling. You can contact me (fleekokheng919@gmail.com)
ASAP.I hope you can give me a contact person where I can buy some pearls.
Looking forward to your responce
thank you