This article first appeared in the JNA November/ December 2022 issue.

Piotr Denejko’s growing passion for pearls back in 2008 fuelled an even greater cause: Introducing local Polish buyers to top-quality pearl jewellery and opening up the market for this emerging sector.

Since then, he has been selling high-end pearl jewellery through his company, Poland-based Gemartis, amassing a client base consisting of high-net-worth individuals, traders, connoisseurs and jewellery lovers.

It was a challenging start since pearls were not only virtually unknown in the local market but were also believed by many to bring bad luck, according to Denejko.

“Pearl is a niche market in Poland. Older generations are not keen on buying pearls because of superstition,” he revealed. “Younger generations however are more receptive to the idea but lack purchasing power, so I continue to educate the local market about the beauty of pearls.”

Denejko, who has a computer science background and a master’s degree in Business Administration, built and strengthened his knowledge of pearls before founding Gemartis. Over the years, he would write countless articles and blog posts on pearl history and current trends and talk about pearls in various events. He is often invited as an expert lecturer on pearls in Poland.

Asia

Denejko sources his pearls from Asian dealers at major international fairs, but business was halted when the pandemic hit in 2020. He however continued to travel to Hong Kong amid strict quarantine measures to buy his pearls.

“My company is known for selling pearls of exceptional quality. That is my strength and what sets me apart from other jewellers in Poland,” he explained. “These are goods that I select myself. I must inspect the goods in person before making a purchase, which is why I always attend the shows,” he shared.

Gemartis offers South Sea, Akoya, Tahitian and freshwater pearl jewellery, with golden South Sea and Tahitian pearls finding favour among Polish buyers. Denejko buys loose pearls and installs them in gold or silver mountings.

Pearls in Poland

Denejko remains committed to cultivating pearl awareness and appreciation in Poland through his business, articles and seminars. He is banking on a rising fascination for the gem among younger generations to help alter its narrative and attract more buyers.

His business continues to grow, with more clients wanting to know more about pearls. Since its inception in 2008, Gemartis has seen a 300 per cent growth in sales, according to Denejko. “I sell four times more now, and majority of this growth was recorded from 2019 to 2022,” he added.

The pearl expert has no plans of expanding overseas just yet as Poland continues to offer vast opportunities for growth in the high-end pearl sector. “The Polish market is gradually advancing, and I can do so much more in terms of education, marketing and brand building,” he noted.