History Of Cultured Freshwater Pearls In China
As the Biwa production in Japan diminished, China filled the vacuum. China had all the resources that Japan lacked: a huge land mass; countless available lakes, rivers, and irrigation ditches; a limitless and pliable work force that earned less than a dollar a day; and an almost desperate need for hard currency. Although China had no history in pearling, in 1968, it started culturing freshwater pearls. Very soon it startled the gem world with prodigious amounts of ridiculously inexpensive pearls.
Unfortunately China did not have the know-how and the experience that Japan had and hence the quality of its pearls was poor. Consequently China did see mass production of pearls but of an inferior quality. This phase in the 1970s and 1980s which was termed as the First Chinese Pearl Wave did not leave a good impression on the minds of the consumer. Thus China’s reputation as a producer among the public remained trivial. Tiny odd shaped pearls also called rice pearls were to be found all over the place. Also called “Rice Krispies,” the oddly shaped material with a crinkly surface dyed any number of “pop” colors could in no way compete with the best from Lake Biwa.
The Second Wave between 1984 and 1991 was not a monumental leap but was an important evolutionary step. China learned fast and well, mastering techniques and producing better shapes and colors. Buying expertise from Japan and the U.S., the Chinese continued experimenting and improving.
One major problem with freshwater cultured pearls is that it suffers from stereotypes. Most people, when they hear “freshwater pearls” think of what we in the trade call “rice krispie” pearls: rice shaped wrinkled crappy pearls that sell for about a buck a strand. These inexpensive pearls were produced by the container load in China in the eighties. The market was flooded with them. Department stores sold twists of twenty strands, they had their fashion moment and then they went out of style and the market died.
The farmers in China were forced to change their strategy. Instead of producing tons of cheap pearls, some farms switched to a different freshwater mussel and started to leave pearls in the water longer. They also discovered that they could grind cheap reject pearls into round nuclei and put them back into the mussels to grow into bigger, more round premium sizes. The Chinese thus had advanced towards producing more quality pearls. The result of all this effort was that beginning just two or three years ago, China started to produce a whole new range of qualities: 6 to 8mm white freshwater pearls that look just like Akoya pearls (although they are more often off round and don’t have top luster); 6 to 9mm fancy colored pearls, round to off round, in lavenders, pinks, and peaches; and a few rare large round strands in mixed fancy colors that are similar in size and feeling to mixed color Tahitian strands.
The bulk of production of Chinese freshwater pearls is still commercial quality pearls that mimic commercial quality Akoya pearls at half the price. But the new qualities and colors from China are indication of better things to come.
Although today’s freshwater pearl production is overwhelmingly from China, The Biwa pearls are not forgotten. People still talk about the quality of the Biwa pearls produced in Lake Biwa in Japan. Production of the Biwa pearls has stopped basically due to pollution but the name even today is synonymous with a high quality freshwater pearl. Of course this may be unfair to other producers who are producing high quality pearls.
Fashion Jewelry
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1940 Fiesta Medium Green Cream Soup Bowl Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal Print Ad $249.99 |
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Madame Alexander Rice Krispies Snap Crackle Pop Dolls $165.00 |
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cereal box Kelloggs Rice Krispies (1 item) 1941 Vernon Grant TOWER,unused $125.00 |
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362354 Rice Krispies Cereal- Bowl- Case of 96 $123.49 |
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1933 Snap Crackle Pop Kellogg Rice Krispies Vernon Grant Movable booklet rare $116.00 |
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RARE 1960′s Kellogg’s RICE KRISPIES CRACKLE DOLL MIB $95.00 |
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Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Collectible Figurines MIB $69.99 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Brownie Bites in a Decorative Tin – Many Varieties $79.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Brownie Bites in a Decorative Tin – Many Varieties $79.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Brownie Bites in a Decorative Tin – Many Varieties $79.95 |
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vtg 1950s sterling silver rice krispies pop charm rare $74.99 |
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vtg 1950s sterling silver rice krispies pop charm rare $74.99 |
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KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES SNAP! CRACKLE! POP! DOLL’S IN UNOPENED BOX $75.00 |
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Kellogg “SNAP, CRACKLE + POP” Rice Krispies – Cereal Celebrities – MIB $59.99 |
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1933 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Premium Magic Color Cards Snap Crackle Pop $74.96 |
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KEB 3800076840 Keebler (4) Rice Krispies Treats Double Chocolate Chunk 1.3 oz 20 $73.99 |
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vtg 1950s sterling silver rice krispies snap charm very rare $69.99 |
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vtg 1950s sterling silver rice krispies snap charm very rare $69.99 |
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Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Vintage Wood Pendulum Clock with Picture ~ EUC $70.00 |
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Kelloggs Rice Krispies 100 Ann Vintage Cookie Jar-NM’06 $60.00 |
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NASCAR 1999 ~ #5 TERRY LABONTE ~ RICE KRISPIES ~ 1/24 $60.00 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Brownie Bites in a Decorative 4.5 LB. Pail – Many Varieties $65.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Brownie Bites in a Decorative 4.5 LB. Pail – Many Varieties $65.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Brownie Bites in a Decorative 4.5 LB. Pail – Many Varieties $65.95 |
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1930′s Chicago Grocery Store Photo – VINTAGE COKE SIGN Kellogg’s Rice Krispies $65.00 |
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1950s vtg sterling silver rice krispies crackle charm rare $59.99 |
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Vintage 1983 Kellogg Rice Krispies Cereal Kitchen Towel Set Mint Sealed MIB $49.95 |
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Rice Krispies Toasted Rice Cereal, Frosted, 12.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) $60.93 |
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Kelloggs Rice Krispies 100 Anniversry Snack Bowl-NM ’06 $50.00 |
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1933 ad b kellogs rice krispies $59.99 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $59.95 |
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1:24 ACTION 1999 #5 RICE KRISPIES TERRY LABONTE SIGNED AUTOGRAPH W/COA NIB $59.95 |
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RICE KRISPIES KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES FIRST 1913 T FORD STOCK # 1339 $59.95 |
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8″ Pop MIB – Rice Krispies Limited Edition 1998 $49.95 |
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8″ Snap MIB – Rice Krispies Limited Edition 1998 $49.95 |
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1940s Kellogs Rice Krispies Crispies Pop hand puppet $50.99 |
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40′s Kellogs Rice Krispies Crispies Crackle hand puppet $50.99 |
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40′s Kellogs Rice Krispies Crispies Snap hand puppet $50.99 |
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Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Model “A” Ford Matchbox Car MIP $49.99 |
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Snack Lovers Gift Basket/Chex Mix,Cracker Jacks,Peanut M & M’s,Rice Krispies etc $41.99 |
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Rice Krispies Treats Rice Cereal, 14.2-Ounce (Pack of 3) $54.90 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Brownies in a Decorative Tin – Many Varieties to Choose From $53.95 |
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Rice Krispies Treats Rice Cereal, 14.2-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) $51.36 |
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T.LABONTE#5 1999 KELLOGGS/RICE KRISPIES M.CARLO 1/3500 $39.95 |
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RARE Kellogg’s Rice Krispies 2 Collector Boxes BOX ONLY $50.00 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin $49.95 |
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Vintage Original KELLOG RICE KRISPIES POP WOOD Premium Cereal TOY Giveaway 1972 $49.95 |
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Funko KELLOGGS RICE KRISPIES SNAP CRACKLEPOP WOBBLERS $49.95 |
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1980S TRANSFORMER STYLE RICE KRISPIES CARS COMPLETE SET $37.70 |
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KELLOGGS RICE KRISPIES MINI SNGL SRV BOX PRE 1970 VINTG $43.61 |
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Mens KELLOGG’S Cereal RICE KRISPIES Streetwear JACKET – Rare, 2XL, Krispie, NEW $35.99 |
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cereal box Kelloggs Rice Krispies 1956 Mister Twister crossword puzzle (1 item) $39.99 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin, Pail, or Can $46.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin, Pail, or Can $46.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin, Pail, or Can $46.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin, Pail, or Can $46.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin, Pail, or Can $46.95 |
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Nannys Sweet Shop Rice Krispies Treats in a Decorative Tin, Pail, or Can $46.95 |
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1941 Ad Kelloggs Rice Krispies Cereal Snap Crackle Pop Characters Fishing Banana $41.95 |
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1999 Terry Labonte #5 Rice Krispies Treats 1/24 Action Diecast $42.00 |
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2003108WR ADVERT COLOR KELLOGG RICE KRISPIES MAY 14 1933 VERNON GRANT NEWSPAPER $37.50 |
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Kelloggs full page paper ad, Rice Krispies, 1962 advertisement, cereal, old $43.90 |
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KEB 26547 (2) Keebler Rice Krispies Treats Original Marshmallow $42.99 |
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1943 Ad Rice Krispies Cereal War Meal Snap Crackle Pop – ORIGINAL ADVERTISING $38.95 |
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1941 Ad Kellogg Cereal Rice Krispies St. Patrick’s Day Leprechauns Clover Food $38.95 |
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1941 Ad Kellogg Co Cereal Rice Krispies Marshmallow Squares Recipe Dessert Food $38.95 |
