| When it comes to the major types of pearls | | | | More than 96% of freshwater pearls sold in the |
| available, they are broadly categorized to four main | | | | world market are from China, and those which are |
| categories: Akoya Pearl, South Sea, Tahitian and | | | | produced in Zhuji, in the Zhejiang Province, are of the |
| Chinese freshwater pearl and the largest producers | | | | highest quality. China also produces Akoya pearls |
| of these are Japan, Australia, France and China | | | | smaller than 9mm. France and Australia are the major |
| respectively. | | | | exporters of he Tahiti and South Sea pearls to China. |
| The key secret behind the production of pearls is the | | | | The pearls that are being sold in China are cost a lot |
| living condition of the oysters. All the oysters do not | | | | lesser than the price of the same pearls in any |
| grow in all climatic conditions. It is for this reason we | | | | western country. As China itself is the major |
| do not have any single country or region leading the | | | | producer of the freshwater pearls, these are cheaper |
| entire production of all varieties of pearls. | | | | in the market there. But in western countries, since |
| But with the technology advancements, China has | | | | these have to be imported and many middlemen |
| already succeeded in producing South Sea Pearls in | | | | make a living out of these businesses, the fresh |
| Hainan Province, and Akoya Pearls in Hepu, Guangxi. | | | | water pearls are costly in the US. The international |
| South Sea Pearls in Hainnan still needs further | | | | free trade agreements in China also helps the Chinese |
| development, while Akoya Pearls in Hepu have | | | | industry to maintain the price of pearls cheaper and |
| successfully become a main source to Japan. Today, | | | | yet make tremendous profits each year by the pearl |
| most of the Akoya pearls available in Japan under | | | | exports it make every year. |
| the 9mm category are imported from China. | | | | |