This article first appeared in the Pearl Report 2024-2025.

The Tahitian Pearl Association Hong Kong (TPAHK) is aiming to reignite interest in Tahitian pearls and ensure a promising future for the industry through a wave of innovative projects, led by its new president.

Chan Ming Wing, chairman of Chan Ming Wing Pearl International Ltd, was earlier named new TPAHK president, effective April 2024.

Under this new leadership, TPAHK wants to promote the beauty of Tahitian pearls, provide comprehensive information and market insights to trade and public consumers, and inspire creative jewellery designs featuring Tahitian pearls.

Joint forces

Backed by more than three decades of experience in the Tahitian pearl trade, Chan is among the first traders to introduce Tahitian pearls in the Hong Kong market.

“I have witnessed the ups and downs of the pearl market over the past 30 years,” shared Chan. “The robust sales that underpinned the sector’s impressive performance in 2023 can be attributed to the concerted efforts of industry players in advancing its development.”

With support from the French Polynesian government and leading Tahitian pearl wholesalers, Chan, together with Rio Pearl Founder Johnny Cheng, established TPAHK in 2007 with the goal of promoting Tahitian pearls and driving sustainable growth in Hong Kong and overseas. Today, Chan remains passionate about and committed to this mission.

In 2024, TPAHK gained critical support from pearl industry leaders Chen Xiaying, chairman of China-based Pure Pearl Group Co Ltd; Robert Wan, founder of Robert Wan Tahiti; and Wong Tat Wah, chairman of Hong Kong Yee On (Group) Co Ltd, who all joined TPAHK as honorary life presidents.

He Bin, chairman of Junedear Core Co Ltd, was appointed director general of TPAHK while former TPAHK co-presidents Cheng and Amy Yan continue to serve as honorary life presidents.

“With the support of these influential and esteemed individuals, the association is well-positioned to increase its visibility. A more robust network can significantly bolster recognition of Tahitian pearls, thereby fostering advancement of the sector,” said Chan.

Perfect asymmetry

Tahitian pearls are beloved for their captivating colours, ranging from light grey to peacock green, iridescent purple, blue and black. They also come in various shapes such as circle, baroque and oval. Asymmetric Perfection, TPAHK’s promotional campaign launched in 2024, celebrates this exceptional feature of Tahitian pearls.

Chan remarked, “The uniqueness of Tahitian pearls is unparalleled as they come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, which make them ideal for one-of-a-kind designs.”

TPAHK will continue to support industry-wide jewellery design competitions to foster creativity and showcase the unique charm of Tahitian pearls. Specifically, TPAHK helped organise the 2024 JMA International Jewellery Design Competition of the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association and the 2025 Year of the Snake Jewellery Design Competition spearheaded by the Guangdong Gems and Jade Exchange, the Guangzhou Panyu Jewelry Designers and Craftsmen Association and the Shenzhen Jewellery Museum.

Over the years, TPAHK has played a pivotal role in boosting demand for Tahitian pearls by arranging study tours, workshops, seminars and jewellery parades and participating in international jewellery fairs. These activities help enhance trade and public awareness of and appreciation for Tahitian pearls.

Chan said TPAHK is leveraging different channels, including livestreaming on social media platforms, to educate and engage people within and outside the jewellery industry about Tahitian pearls alongside business and market trends.

TPAHK said the global pearl market performed strongly in recent years amid a relative downturn in other jewellery sectors. Based on data shared by Wan of Robert Wan Tahiti, sales of black Tahitian pearls reached a record high of 17 billion Pacific Francs (approximately US$154.4 million) in 2023.

Chan noted that there remains an untapped potential in the Chinese market, particularly among younger consumers who are not yet familiar with Tahitian pearls.

“We need to introduce Tahitian pearls and Tahitian pearl jewellery designs to potential customers,” he added. “Business opportunities are waiting to be explored, granted consumers are educated to help them better appreciate Tahitian pearls.”