SPOTLIGHT 市场聚焦 PEARL REPORT | 46 | 2023-2024 The world has witnessed significant transformations across various industries over the past few years. What has remained stable and seemingly constant is an unwavering demand for loose pearls and pearl jewellery in China. Retail sales of pearl jewellery in China reached RMB24 billion (around US$3.3 billion) in 2022, accounting for around 3 per cent of the country’s total jewellery sales, according to data from the 2022 China Jewellery Industry Development Report by the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China (GAC). Celebrated for their versatility, pearls provide consumers with diverse style options for any occasion. This explains the growing demand for a wider range of products, from affordable rice pearls to premium gems, said Tu Xingcai, president of Shenzhen Pearl Industry Association and chairman of Shenzhen Matis Jewelry Co Ltd. “We are seeing more celebrities wearing pearl jewellery on TV shows and in livestreaming sessions, which helps raise awareness of pearls. This so-called ‘celebrity effect’ is a powerful way to promote pearls,” noted Tu. Solid sales Freshwater pearls are enjoying solid growth in China. According to Emma Zhou, sales manager of HW Pearl Co Ltd, the company’s headquarters in Zhejiang, China received a great deal of freshwater pearl orders post-pandemic. She said, “Chinese consumers showed greater acceptance of price and demand for freshwater pearls as compared to overseas markets.” Zhejiang Hui Bao Pearl Co Ltd, which specialises in freshwater pearl farming, processing and sales, established HW Pearl in 2008. It mainly sells domestically but also ships pearls to the major markets of Europe, the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Amid growing demand in China is a noticeable shift in consumer preferences. This stems largely from economic fluctuations and evolving purchasing habits driven mainly by the advent of alternative sales channels such as livestreaming, said Zhan Weijian, chairman and general manager of Grace Pearl (HK) Co Ltd and Zhejiang Dongfengshenzhou Pearl Group Co Ltd – developers of the Edison Pearl. | Sharon Kwok 郭芷雯 | China’s The Chinese pearl industry, having demonstrated resilience and versatility amid challenges, counts on widespread adoption of e-commerce, advancements in cultivation technology and the pearl’s inimitable beauty to propel business to new heights. 在充满各种挑战 的环境中，中国珍珠业展现出强韧不屈的精神和灵活多变的能力。凭藉电商的 盛行、养殖技术的进步，以及珍珠独有的魅力，行业将生意推向新高峰。 中国珍珠业蓬勃发展 thriving pearl sector
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