Pearl's are a gal's 2nd best friend?

Written on 26 May 2009 in Beijing, China

We stunbled upon the Silk Street Pearl Market today. Most pearls in China are the freshwater variety, as the Chinese have perfected the art of cultivating pearls in mussels. Typically easier to produce that saltwater oyster pearls, freshwater pearls are often smaller and naturally less lustrous. But their abundance also means cheaper prices. The pearls come in a huge variety of shapes and colours. The freshwater variety is usually white with a slightly rosy undertone, but one can find a rainbow of hues. Greater lustre, or iridescence, typically increases the value.

Most vendors happily humour shoppers with a series of demonstrations of a pearl's authenticity – scraping it on glass to leave a mark, or nicking it with a blade to show unform colour. If making a purchase, you'd have to use your best judgment when trying to determine quality and value. A good tip is to realise that the world's best quality pearls are probably not for sale in a crowded market.

We didn't splash out as we're saving shopping for the last leg of our trip in Hong Kong. Backpacking is not conducive to shopping! However, we got a good buy purchasing 2 turquoise coloured pearl necklaces bargained down to 20 yuan for both! One is part of our 'thank you' gift to Melissa with whom we've been staying with in Beijing and the other was just Kenneth's little random gift to me because he could see how much my eyes twinkled when I held them up against my neck!