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I’m heading back to Hong Kong for the biggest pearl show in the world. From March 2nd to the 6th, pearl farmers, processors, wholesalers, and dealers from all over the world will gather at the Asia World Expo in Hong Kong for the biggest pearl show of the year.
We normally broadcast live from Hong Kong but this year will be a bit different. Hisano isn't able to join, so I’m heading there solo and will be spending four full days on the floor.
To make sure you don't miss any of the action, I’ll be taking you along with me virtually. I’ll be posting live updates and behind-the-scenes finds on Instagram Stories (@PearlParadise) throughout the show. Follow along to see the 'best of the best' as I find them!
This is always a special show for us. It's where we get to see the latest and the greatest. Every single producer who attends comes ready to impress. Some hold back their best pearls for months just to display them here.
But for me, it's more than just a buying trip. It’s a chance to reconnect with farmers, processors and traders to hear what’s been happening on the water and around the pearl world. As president of The Pearl Association of America, part of my role is staying directly engaged with producers around the world and representing the interests of the U.S. pearl market while I'm there.
On the shopping list this year: new Tahitian loose lots, akoya pairs and strands in natural white and blue, and perhaps some of the new freshwater pearls that have been generating buzz in Asia. These are highly saturated pearls in the 6-10 mm range with the metallic luster we normally see only in much larger bead-nucleated freshwater pearls, but in sizes that are far more wearable.
If there’s something in particular that you’ve been wanting, this is your chance. I’ll be sorting strands, evaluating loose lots, and meeting face-to-face with the farmers and producers. If the pearls exist, this is where they’ll be.
If there’s something on your wish list—no matter how specific—please email me at jeremy@pearlparadise.com by March 1st. I’ll be your eyes and ears on the floor and will send photos and videos directly from the show of what I find.
About the Author
Jeremy Shepherd
Founder, Pearl Paradise | President, The Pearl Association of America
I founded Pearl Paradise in 1996 and Pearl-Guide.com in 2004. I serve as president of The Pearl Association of America and authored Pearls As One, the pearl industry's leading certification course, now translated into 10 languages.
Over 30 years in the pearl trade, I've sourced pearls from farms across Japan, French Polynesia, Australia, China, Fiji, Mexico, and the Philippines, and produced three pearl industry documentaries: Pearls the Documentary, The Tahitian Pearl, and Power of Pearl. I have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times, Newsweek, Entrepreneur Magazine, Freakonomics Radio, Inc. Magazine, and many trade publications.
