Saturday 21 March 2009
Although recent in Zanzibar, pearl farming illustrates how scientific research can support projects that are both ecological and economically viable.
In 2006, Maria Haws (University of Hawaii) and Narriman Jiddawi (Institute of Marine Science – IMS) introduced women’s groups from the Fumba Peninsula to pearl farming techniques.
The Sustainable Coastal Communities and Ecosystems Project, funded by USAID, enabled the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), IMS, and their partners to work with women’s groups in four villages near Menai Bay to promote half-pearl (mabé) culture.
Before this project, these women cultivated seaweed, worked the land, or collected shellfish for an average monthly income of only USD 40–50, requiring 5 to 7 days of work per week.
Promising Initial Results
In January 2007, an experimental batch of 94 Pteria penguin oysters was grafted to produce half-pearls. Each oyster received two to three hemispherical nuclei before being placed in pouches suspended from a raft at a depth of four meters, near Bweleo.
After one year, the operation yielded 28 high-quality half-pearls. Several were sold at auction during a gala dinner organized in February at the Palace Museum. This event, co-organized by WIOMSA and IMS and hosted by N. Jiddawi and A. Mmochi (IMS), was inaugurated by the Minister of Women’s Affairs and Youth, Asha Abdulla, and raised USD 3,600.
Toward Tourist Commercialization
Some of the remaining pearls were set in silver or gold and will be offered for sale to the 100,000 tourists visiting Zanzibar each year, paving the way for a new and sustainable source of income for local communities.
Sunday 15 March 2009
The international pearl auctions held in February and March 2008 in Hong Kong achieved good results, despite buyers’ more cautious attitude amid concerns over the U.S. economic downturn.
PASPALEY Auction: Stability for High-End Pearls
According to Yoshihiro Shimuzi, president of Hosei Co. Ltd. (Kobe), prices for the cleanest and highest-quality pearls remained stable, confirming steady demand. In contrast, spotted or lower-quality pearls saw a slight decline.
Leung SikWah, president of Cogent Trading Co. Ltd. and co-organizer of the auction, noted that buyers were adopting a wait-and-see approach due to economic uncertainty: “No one knows what will happen in the next three to six months. With the subprime crisis and stock market drops, buyers are purchasing only what is strictly necessary and are hesitant to build up stock.”
Over the three days of the 38th Paspaley Pearl Auction, 148,769 pearls (420 kg) were sold, representing 64% of the lots offered. The average price per pearl reached USD 88.23.
There were 105 buyers in attendance, with Europeans dominating the bidding thanks to a strong euro. Large pearls and baroques were particularly popular.
Among the standout sales, a 16 mm white pearl with pink overtones (6.18 g) reached a record price of USD 4,137 per gram. More than 20 lots of baroque pearls attracted intense bidding, including lot no. 552, consisting of nine 20 mm baroques, sold for USD 35,284.
ROBERT WAN Auction: Prices Climb Sharply
The 39th Robert Wan / Tahiti Pearls Auction saw a significant price increase, with a turnover of €3.89 M (USD 5.94 M) for 124,633 pearls (283.3 kg), resulting in an average price of €31.04 (USD 47.67) per pearl.
Robert Wan expressed great satisfaction, highlighting not only price stability but also an overall improvement in luster, color, and pearl size, particularly in the 12–14 mm category, which was more abundant than in previous auctions.
According to Yoshihiro Shimuzi (Hosei Co. Ltd.), this price increase was due to better quality pearls, a higher presence of large pearls, and more rigorous selection. Wong Yik Nin, president of Wong’s Diamond and Pearls Co. Ltd., estimated the average price increase at 10%. Japan remains the largest global market, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom.
POE RAVA NUI Auction: Strong Demand for Large Sizes
At the 8th Poe Rava Nui Auction (Tahiti), 77% of the pearls offered were sold, generating a total of approximately €3 M (USD 4.6 M).
Large pearls, ranging from 13 to 18 mm, attracted significant interest, particularly from European and American buyers, contributing to the success of this auction.
