PEARL REPORT 2021

PEARL REPORT | 40 | 2021-2022 MARKET INTELLIGENCE Spotlight China’s thriving pearl sector 聚焦蓬勃發展的中國珍珠產業 With China’s increasing environmental protection requirements, the country’s pearl industry is entering a new phase of development, characterised by lower production volume and improved quality of pearls. Such reforms, alongside the persistent impact of Covid-19, are ushering in a new era for the pearl business. 鑒於中國對環保要求不斷提升， 國家的珍珠產業進入新的發展階段——產量減少，品質提高。此類轉型， 加上新冠疫情的持續影響，正在引領珍珠行業進入嶄新的時代。 R etail sales of pearl jewellery in China reached RMB15 billion (around US$2.17 billion) in 2020, accounting for around 2.5 per cent of the country’s total jewellery sales, data from the 2020 China Jewellery Industry Development Report by the Foundation of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China revealed. Further testament to the growing strength of China’s pearl sector is the development of an aquaculture industry in pearl farming regions, which allowed the domestic pearl business to gradually form industry hotspots. Freshwater pearls are centred in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces while saltwater pearls are at the heart of Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan Provinces. Among these destinations, Zhuji City in Zhejiang Province has become a freshwater pearl haven, earning it the title, “Pearl Capital of China.” The Chinese pearl market is mainly composed of marketplaces in farming regions and in wholesale cities, and the export hub of Hong Kong, alongside widely distributed pearl shops in the country. on South Sea pearl farm in China 中國的南海珍珠養殖場 | Julius Zheng 鄭嶸 |