Hello, totomigi-ga!
This question was quite a challenge, as information was much scarcer
than I thought it would be. There is a wealth of information on real
and cultured pearls, but fake pearls seem to get little attention!
Yet, I have found some good information for you that I believe will be
helpful.
In the last 21/2 years, we've seen the pearl strand become more of
a fashion staple in a woman's wardrobe," Jeanne Daniel, senior vice
president of merchandising at Tiffany & Co. in New York, said. "Pearls
are timeless, versatile, and their natural beauty is flattering to all
skin types."
But most of the pearls we buy and wear aren't natural or cultured.
They're fake. But if they, like the ones Carolee bought, were good
enough for Jackie O, they should be good enough for all. Carolee
reports that some clients are ordering all 17 pieces in the Jackie O
collection
Read “Once again, pearls are stringing along in high style,” by Mary
Martin Niepold. Associated Press at
http://www.s-t.com/daily/01-97/01-01-97/b01li041.htm
How Imitation Pearls are Made
“The invention of imitation pearls as we know them today. In the
17th Century a Frenchman called Jacquin developed “essence of orient”,
the single most important development in imitation pearls which is
still used today. He came about this invention when observing his
housekeeper cleaning a fish in a basin of water. Jacquin noticed that
the fish slime rising to the surface had mother of pearl reflections;
he then filtered it and mixed it with varnish. This mixture of fish
slime and lacquer was called “essence of orient”. He poured it on the
inside surface of a hollow glass bead, which he then filled with wax
to produce imitation pearls. “Essence of Orient” is still used today
by large imitation pearl manufacturers; they nowadays coat alabaster
beads in this substance and use the slime from salmon, chad and
herring. A cheaper method of producing imitation pearls today is by
coating plastic beads in acrylic paint.” Read “Passion for Pearls” at
http://www.pearls.co.uk/passion4pearls.htm#The%20invention%20of%20imitation%20pearls%20as%20we%20know%20them%20today
“Imitation pearls are simply manufactured to look like pearls. They
have never seen the inside of a mollusc. Various materials such as
glass, plastic and shell are machined into spheres and different
substances such as lacquer, fish scales or plastic are applied to coat
the spheres to produce a pearly finish. Imitation pearls are easily
identified by examination with a 10x lens. The outer coating has a
gritty texture compared to the smoother nacre surface of natural and
cultured pearls. Trade names of imitation pearls should be used by
jewellers in way that the true nature of the imitation is clear.”
“Various trade terms are used to describe the origins, colours and
qualities of natural, cultured and imitation pearls. The following
list summarizes a number of these terms:”
3. Imitation Pearl
Terms such as ‘Majoica’ should be qualified with the word ‘imitation’.
Read “Pearl Identification.” Precious Stone Laboratory: London at
http://www.precious-stonelab.co.uk/pearl_identification.htm
“Imitation pearls are a different story altogether. In most cases, a
glass bead is dipped into a solution made from fish scales. This
coating is thin and may eventually wear off. One can usually tell an
imitation by biting on it. Fake pearls glide across your teeth, while
the layers of nacre on real pearls feel gritty. The Island of Mallorca
is known for its imitation pearl industry.”
http://josygautier.free.fr/perles-explik-generik-GB.htm
Majorica Pearls
“Majorica Pearls is a brand name for a type of fake pearl. They were
originally manufactured on the island of Majorica in the
Mediterranean, but are now made in Spain. The company uses a glass
bead and coats the surface with a paste made from North Atlantic fish
scales to make the imitation surface look like a real pearl.”
http://www.pearloasis.com/pearltypes.html
“Unlike the cultured pearl, which is available in various qualities
and which, in spite of an export inspection office still comes to this
country in shockingly poor qualities, the Majorica pearl is either
perfect or it is destroyed.
From “Terra Gems” at http://terragems.hypermart.net/pearls.htm
Today, Majorica Pearls hold a worldwide reputation. As the oldest
continuing pearl manufacturer in the world, no other company has come
close to duplicating the quality of the Majorica Pearls, and it takes
a very trained eye to distinguish them from the real thing. “The
Majorica pearl does not change or yellow with age and its luster
remains constant. These pearls are highly resistant to perfumes, skin
moisture and garment dyes.”
“Majorica simulated pearls easily pass for nature's own creation. The
technology and skills used in its manufacture is complex. The
process begins with highly trained workers who make the opaque nucleus
of the pearls by melting the tip of a translucent glass rod over a
torch. The hot glass flows onto a coated copper wire which is
electromechanically rotating. The size of the pearl is regulated by
the intensity of the flame, the melting time and the speed of the
rotating wire. Highly skilled operators produce exact sizes (filičre
= 1 mm) by eye-hand coordination. After the pearls are removed from
the copper wires, they are sized and dipped in natural pearl essence
made from the scales of fish. The exact formula of this essence is
closely guarded. After receiving approximately 30 carefully applied
layers, the pearls are dried in a time and atmosphere controlled
environment. Then they are drilled and assembled into necklaces by
specially trained workers. Although many steps in the pearl production
are done by hand, specially designed machinery is used to increase the
production capabilities of the plant. The quality control department
of Majorica rejects any pearl with the slightest imperfection. Only
perfect pearls will be used to create the finest simulated pearls in
the world!
pearls are highly resistant to perfumes, skin moisture and garment
dyes. It's complex and every attention is given to quality control
with every production step.
For a history of Majorica Pearls and their continuing popularity,
read “Majorica - The Story of the Finest Imitation Pearls in the
World!” at http://orbisenterprises.com/Heusch-1/Heusch-2/Heusch-3b/Heusch-4b/heusch-4b.html
Market Data
World market data for fake pearls (exclusively) is nearly impossible
to find in the realm of public information. You will need to
extrapolate some basic information from various sources of data to
compile some market data.
Though I tried to find annual sales figures for artificial pearls
worldwide by Majorica Company in Spain, I was unsuccessful. If you
could get your hands on one of their annual reports, you might be able
to find some accurate sales data.
Upon analysis of the 2000 annual report by Quilvest, however, which
has invested 15% of their assets in Majorica, the company’s well-being
is somewhat in question. According to the Quilvest report, their
initial 3 million investment in Majorica is currently worth 1.7
million, attributed primarily to poor management on Majorica’s part.
“Currently, the company is experiencing a lack of cash for the day to
day operations due to high inventories and the burden of debt.” Page
13 of the Quilvest 2000 annual report at
http://www.quilvest.com/pdf/rapport00.pdf
The “Costume Jewelry and Novelty Manufacturing” report issued in 1999
by the US census contains some US market data for sales of imitation
pearls mixed in with other types of costume jewelry. The data can be
accessed on page 15 (of 36) of the PDF document, under the NAICS
product code #3399140226, which includes sales of “Other costume
jewelry, compacts, non-leather vanity cases, imitation pearls, and
costume novelties made of plastics, wood and leather.”
You may access the full report at
http://www.census.gov/prod/ec97/97m3399d.pdf
However, for market data on the pearl industry as a whole, you may
access charts for import and export statistics in the article
“Expanded Pearl Coverage,” by Mick Elmore. Colored Stone (July/August
2002) at http://www.tucsonshowguide.com/stories/jul02/pearlstats.cfm#stats
“Natural pearls account for less than 1 percent of the world pearl
sales,” according to Golay Pearls at
http://www.golay.com/documents/magazine%5C2_engl.pdf (Therefore, you
can extrapolate that most of the imports and exports in the data
provided by the article “Expanded Pearl Coverage” noted above,
involves cultured pearls)
Pearls were the one gem that increased most in demand in 2001, but
again, the data is linked to real or cultured pearls. However, you
might assume that as demand for real pearls increases, the popularity
of fake pearls also increases for those who cannot afford the “real
thing.” See charts in the article “Pearls Retail Rank Skyrockets,” by
Suzanne Wade. Colored Stone (2002) at
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/jan02/retail.cfm
Are imitation pearls threatening the sales of real and cultured
pearls?
A 1996 article from the “Tahiti Black Pearl News” discusses the
“Imitation Pearl Threat.” An excerpt follows:
“Tahiti’s increasingly famous black cultured pearl faces its biggest
potential threat from the growing popularity of imitation pearls. They
are known as the <<third pearl>> after the natural and cultured
pearl.”
“Producers of imitation pearls claim they remain intact regardless
of age, they consist of one thick pearl layer and that they do not
react adversely to perspiration, cosmetics and acidic and alkaline
substances.”
“But what makes the Third Pearl such a big potential threat to
Tahiti’s cultured pearl is the price. The same ad has a photo
comparing the price of two almost identical-looking pearl necklaces.
The ad claims the imitation pearl necklace was bought for $160, while
the cultured pearl necklace cost $1,750, or more than 10 times the
other price.”
Read “Imitation Pearl Threat.” Tahiti Black Pearl News. (1/1996) at
http://www.tahiti-blackpearls.com/news/newsletter/pearl1_1.pdf
Fashion
Even if they are fake, you can wear them! Just make sure they are
tasteful!
“The credo I have always lived by is “less is more”. This applies
to a multitude of things, and for the bride, it should be her mantra.
It should cross her mind regarding makeup and jewelry at a minimum.
What would have been more appropriate with that dress was a small
circle of pearls that barely hit her collarbone. And fake is ok…just
don’t be obvious about it. I have found very nice looking fake pearls
for around $25.00 and usually found earrings that match for around
$10.00. Anything a bride chooses to wear for jewelry should be
delicate and quietly enhance her attire, not detract from it.” From
“Wedding Jewelry – Less is More,” by Cheryl Starkey-King.
ultimatewedding.com at
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/articles/get.php?action=getarticle&articleid=912
“Nothing completes an outfit like a single strand of pearls. Even if
you forego the necklace, simple pearl stud earrings top off everything
from an evening gown to a business suit to jeans and a sweatshirt.”
“If you can’t afford the real thing, imitation will do just fine.
But be warned, once you’ve felt a cool rope of cultured pearls around
your neck, you’ll never go back to fake again.”
“If you can’t afford the real thing, don’t despair. There are many
good quality imitations on the market and they’ll do just fine.”
From “Pearls are Perfect for Every Occasion,” by Heidi Hoff. My
Inner Style at http://www.myinnerstyle.com/articles/article1005.html
At the Milan Fashion Week Shows…..
Victoria Beckham, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana pinstripe trouser suit,
with fake pearls in her cleavage and real diamond rings flashing on
the outside of her black fishnet mittens, made a day trip to Milan for
the show. From “Rainbow Parade of Hippies Style,” by Hilary Alexander.
Fashion.Telegraph.Co.UK (1/10/2001) at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2001/10/02/wfash01.xml
A letter about wearing fake pearls from the August 5, 2002 site of
the “Etiquette Grrls” at
http://www.etiquettegrrls.com/archive_08-05-02.html
Dear Etiquette Grrls,
Hi, I was just wondering if it is acceptable to wear faux pearls
instead of the real thing.
Answer:
Yes, Dear Reader, it is Perfectly Fine to wear Faux Pearls. Do try to
find some that are Understated and Elegant (make sure they don't have
a Very Gaudy Clasp-- that's the downfall of Many a Strand of Faux
Pearls we've seen), and wear them with Pride!
If the fake pearls have meaning, they are priceless….for some!!!
“Try them on ," urges Franklin Mint Vice President Jack Wilkie in
the buttery tones of a man who has never heard the word "no." As the
silver clasp is snapped into place, I feel the pleasurable weight of
the three strands of pearls--just like the fake ones Jackie Kennedy
Onassis really owned and really wore when she was married to the
golden-haired god, Jack Kennedy. Not the least bit tacky, they look
terrific. I find myself mentally making a purchase.
“The Resnicks, Stewart and Lynda--the dynamic duo who own, operate
and oversee every inch of the Mint's busy empire--went to the trouble
of forking over $211,500 at the hugely hyped Sotheby's auction for the
original faux pearls owned by Mrs. Onassis and worn by her in several
famously unforgettable photographs. Those photographs and their
residual romance grace the Mint Museum's newest display. In one,
Jackie lounges in the sun, her ripe, lovely face forever young and
framed by Those Pearls. In another photo, young John-John tugs
playfully at the pearls, inducing a head-thrown-back laugh from the
bewitching First Lady. Bittersweet those images, gone those moments.”
“But why mourn for Camelot, when you can wear it? Own some of that
collective unconscious, for only "5 equal monthly installments of $39
each." Never mind that what you actually have are glass and powdered
seashells, hand-knotted, of course, and clasped with genuine silver,
cast from the original, which itself was a 1950s reproduction of a
1930s jewelry finding.”
"People want to be close to Jackie," smiles Jack Wilkie.”
Read “Mint Condition” at
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.26.96/cover/frank-mint-9639.html
An article about costume jeweler Kenneth Lane, who “made his fortune
in faux pearls and paste” notes his success in the costume jewelry
industry, where his bi-monthly appearances on QVC can earn as much as
$200,000 and hour. He is known for making “Barbara Bush's fake pearls
(she sent him a note saying people were disappointed when she wasn't
wearing them.)”
Read “Jewels in the Town,” by Bob Morris. NewYorkMetro.com at
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/shopping/articles/02/homedesign/jeweler/
If fake pearls are good enough for Barbara Bush………..?
Barbara as First Lady is described as a direct, well-organized,
independent lady. In her dress, she always dressed for comfort and
admitted to wearing fake pearls to hide her wrinkled neck.
Read “Barbara Bush,” by John Marck. About Famous People at
http://www.aboutfamouspeople.com/article1089.html
Fake pearls for Sale and Fashion Trends
The following excerpt is from “Faus or for Real, Pearls Never Lose
Luster,” by Linda Gordan. Scripps Howard News Service at
http://www.detnews.com/2001/homelife/0109/30/c03-299042.htm :
“June Cleaver wore them with little shirtwaist dresses while she
vacuumed. The 101-year-old Queen Mum still clips on a necklace every
day -- even when salmon fishing in Scotland, a passion she continues
to enjoy when she's up to it.
And Jackie O's three strands of fakes were so famous the Franklin
Mint continues to copy them, as do women around the world.
If diamonds are a girl's best friend, pearls could be dubbed a
girl's favorite second cousin. The one she may call on only
occasionally but is always happy to see. The one with timeless appeal
who never wears out her welcome.
As Kathy Silverberg, sales consultant at Dillard's, puts it,
"Pearls are classic. They never go out of style. And the better faux
pearls, like the ones we carry by Carolee, look genuine and even come
with a lifetime warranty against defects."
That's a lot of bang for the buck, but today's pearls offer even
more.
"This fall especially," says Jennifer Lavis, spokeswoman for
Jacobson's, "pearls are available in updated styles that have made
them a fashion statement. Those 12 millimeters and larger are
particularly popular in an 18-inch length that lays around the neck, a
style reminiscent of Jackie Onassis."
And then there's the trend toward color. According to Lavis, pearls
in shades of champagne and white mix well with the season's warm
colors.
Majorica, an upscale line available at Saks Fifth Avenue, takes the
trend a step further. According to Kellie Jacoby, Saks' spokeswoman,
the 111-year-old Barcelona-based firm has introduced a multicolor
pearl collection for fall, featuring not only the latest looks but
also hues.
Sometimes, colored pearls are even mixed with semi-precious gems
such as a smoky blue topaz or vibrant garnet. The result is a
sophisticated style, generations removed from grandmother's stodgy
plain white choker.
One popular necklace -- made of 12 millimeter pearls, 16 inches in
length -- combines cream, peacock, white and gray pearls. Another
pretty design mixes pink and gray pearls. And black and white pearls
worn together couldn't be more chic, since fashionmongers assure us
that black is back for fall 2001.
Sometimes, Jacoby says, fashion-forward women wear one black and
one white earring for a fun take on a classic look.
Wearing a pearl necklace with matching pearl earrings and sometimes
bracelets and/or rings, our experts add, is up-to-date as opposed to
uptight. As is piling on multiple strands of opera-length (28-34
inches) pearls -- but only if the woman can carry off a dramatic
image.
Most petite gals will find that layering is too much of a good
thing.
What else is of-the-moment in the world of pearls?
For one thing, copies are better than ever, although in the words
of a spokesman for Majorica, "A perfect pearl is not created by
chance."
It took his company years of research and development, plus endless
hours of craftsmanship, to create Majorica's organic manmade pearl.
And strict quality control is a must, because it assures the color,
luster and iridescence of the pearl, as well as its resistance to
harmful external agents.
The Majorica pearl necklaces available at Saks tend to range in
price from $187 to $385. Earrings go from about $55 to $175 and
bracelets from $113 to $260.
Pieces from the Carolee line of faux pearls, which can be found at
Dillard's, Jacobson's and other retailers, average as follows:
necklaces from about $28 to $450; earrings from about $25 to $75.
Of course, regardless of price, not all styles suit all women. An
experienced sales consultant can steer someone toward the most
flattering necklace length and color. Even white varies.
For an idea of what's out there, here's a crash course on
contemporary fashion tips covering necklaces from 12 to 45 inches
long, courtesy of Pearls de Princessa, which maintains an informative
jewelry web site at www.pearls-de-princessa.com. Call them pearls of
wisdom.
* Collar, 12-13 inches: Pearl collars are usually made up of three
or more strands and lie snugly on the middle of the neck. Very
Victorian and luxurious, collars go best with elegant V-neck, boat
neck or off-the-shoulder fashions.
* Choker, 14-16 inches: A pearl choker is perhaps the most classic
and yet versatile of all the single-strand lengths. A simple choker
can go with virtually any outfit from casual to fancy evening wear,
and just about any neckline imaginable.
* Princess, 17-19 inches: The princess length necklace is best
suited for crew and high necklines. It also complements low plunging
necklines. In addition, it offers perfect support for a pendant or a
pearl enhancer.
* Matinee, 20-24 inches: Longer than the choker and just a bit
shorter than an opera length, the matinee necklace is the right choice
for casual or business dressing.
* Opera, 28-34 inches: The opera necklace is the queen of all
lengths. When worn as a single strand, it is refined and perfect for
high or crew necklines. When doubled upon itself, it serves as a
versatile two-strand choker.
* Rope, 45 inches: Dripping with elegance and sensuously sexy, the
rope was a favorite of Coco Chanel. For those looking for a complete
pearl wardrobe, this length is a must. (Ask your jeweler about placing
mystery clasps in strategic locations around the necklace. This will
enable you to break it down into multi-stranded necklaces and bracelet
combinations.)”
Japanese fashion trends
“Women in their thirties and upward are also opting for vintage
brooches embellished with Bohemian glass or glass pearls, made in
Europe in the 1940s and 1950s. These usually cost between 30,000 and
50,000 yen (261 and 435 dollars), but their popularity has been such
that outlet shops have been set up in department stores. Among pushpin
types for blazers and suits, meanwhile, highly affordable
variations--featuring fake pearls or rhinestones, for example--are
expected to come into the mainstream from spring 2001 onward,
targeting new company recruits, who in Japan are mostly employed in
April.” Read “Brooches are Back.” Trends in Japan (3/2/2001) at
http://www.jinjapan.org/trends00/honbun/tj010302.html
Interesting Facts:
The import of artificial pearls is prohibited in the country of
Qatar, in accordance with Islamic tradition. Read “Investment and
Trade Issues” at http://www.infoprod.co.il/country/qatar2f.htm
Special import licenses are required to import artificial pearls in
the country of Bahrain.
http://www.alwen.com/scripts/it/2_guide_pratique/b_reglementations/rules_it_ba_uk.htm
For more general information on the world import and export market
for jewelry and accessories, including artificial jewelry, accompanied
by several charts (in which pearls are mentioned, but it is
questionable whether artificial pearls are included in with these
statistics), read “Jewelry and Accessories” at
http://www.thaitrade.com/en/doc/Jewelry%20and%20Accessories.doc
I hope this information proves useful. If you need further help,
please let me know.
umiat-ga
Google Search Strategy
demand for artificial pearls
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sales "imitation pearls" worldwide |
