History of cultured freshwater pearls in China

Since then, production has decreased Biwa in Japan, China filled the void. China has all the resources that Japan does not: a huge territory, numerous lakes available, rivers and irrigation canals, labor flexibility and unlimited income of less than one dollar a day and almost desperate for hard currency. Although China had no history of pearls, 1968, he began to grow freshwater pearls. Soon, surprised the world with a huge amount of pearl beads ridiculously cheap.

Unfortunately, China does not have the experience and knowledge that Japan and, consequently, the quality of pearls was poor. Thus, China mass production of pearls, but inferior. At this stage in the period from 1970 to 1980, which was described as the first Chinese Pearl Wave has a bad impression on the minds of consumers. China's reputation as a producer in the public sector remains low. Tiny strange shape pearls rice pearls were designed to be anywhere. In addition, the "Rice Krispies", odd-shaped material with a surface crack of the number of colors "pop" of color can not compete with the best of Lake Biwa.

The second wave of 1984-1991 was not a monumental leap, however, was an important event. China has learned quickly and well, mastering techniques and better shapes and colors. Buying expertise from Japan and the U.S., the Chinese experience and improve.

The main problem of freshwater cultured pearls is that he suffers from stereotypes. Most people, when they hear, think, "pearls" that we call the trade "Rice Krispies" pearls: pearls rice shape wrinkled shit that sell for about a dollar per strand. These inexpensive beads were produced container load in China in the eighties. The market was flooded with them. Department stores offer expressions of twenty-son, they had their moment in fashion, they went out of fashion and died in the market.

Farmers in China have been forced to change his strategy. Instead of tons of cheap pearls, offers activities in other freshwater pearl mussel and started to leave everything in the water. They also found that they grind to abandon cheap beads with round nuclei and put them back in the shells into the ring sizes bigger bonus. The Chinese have more influence in the direction of the production of top quality balls. As a result of these efforts was the beginning of two or three years, China has started issuing a series of new classes of 6-8 mm white freshwater pearls that look like pearls Akoya (although they are often full, and N is CAST), 6 - 9 mm of novelty beads, round tower in lavender, roses and peaches, and a few rare large round strands in mixed fancy colors that are similar in size and color Tahitian strands are mixed feelings.

Most of the production of Chinese freshwater pearls is still commercial quality pearls, Akoya pearls that mimic commercial quality for half the price. But the new qualities and colors of notes from China come to the best.

Although freshwater pearl production today is mainly from China, Biwa pearls are not forgotten. People still talk about the quality of pearls in Lake Biwa Biwa made in Japan. ceased production of Biwa pearls, in principle, from pollution, but the name is still synonymous with freshwater pearls of high quality. Of course, it might be unfair to other manufacturers who produce high quality pearls.