Friday 25 July 2014
Throughout this week, around fifty buyers from both local and international companies are taking part in the preview phase to carefully examine the pearls ahead of the official auction on July 27.
The wide variety of lots gives producers hope of conquering both local and foreign markets.
Among the participants, Loic Wiart — one of the largest local buyers — has mobilized two teams of four people to evaluate some 2,000 lots across the five planned auctions.
His meticulous selection is based on the precise demands of target markets, both for export and domestic sales.
The average wholesale price of loose pearls remains stable at around 2,000 francs, regardless of market fluctuations.
It is worth noting that 85% of the pearls from these transactions are destined for export, further strengthening the international presence of the Tahitian pearl.
The highlight of this sale: an exceptional pearl measuring 20.8 millimeters in diameter — a true treasure that underscores the importance of this event for the Polynesian pearl industry.
Saturday 19 July 2014
The lot preview will begin on July 21, ahead of the sales scheduled for July 27, 28, and 29.
The event will gather around forty local and international dealers across four different venues, showcasing more than 700,000 pearls ready to captivate buyers from around the globe.
For the past three years, pearl prices have been rising steadily, now reaching about 600 XPF per gram.
Producers aim to maintain moderate growth, limited to 10–15% per year, in order to preserve the attractiveness of Tahitian pearls on world markets.
Although only three pearl auctions are held annually in Tahiti, they remain highly strategic.
In 2013, they generated a turnover of one billion XPF.
Already, the first auction of 2014, held in March, had reached around 500 million XPF, confirming a positive trend.
For small producers, these sales represent a vital opportunity to move their production.
The process, refined over 35 years, remains reserved for accredited professional dealers, who will submit their bids starting July 21 — without knowing the reserve prices set by the producers.
Highlight of This Edition: The Return of GIE Poe Rava Nui
After an eight-year absence, the GIE Poe Rava Nui is back.
This group, bringing together around fifty producers, will present 200,000 pearls, confirming the renewed vitality of the local market.
Focus: An Exceptional 20.8-Millimeter Pearl
As in every auction, rare pearls will take center stage.
Among them, a unique 20.8 mm specimen will stand out.
Despite being classified as B or C due to slight imperfections, its exceptional luster over most of its surface will make it one of the most coveted gems of the sale.
Saturday 5 July 2014
This initiative comes after the dissolution of previous structures, filling the void left in the international promotion of Tahitian cultured pearls.
Despite the challenges faced over the past ten years, the pearl remains one of the major pillars of Polynesian exports.
As an association governed by the 1901 law, the TPAFP has the primary mission of promoting the Tahitian pearl on an international scale.
Its funding will rely on a government subsidy — the amount of which is still being finalized — and on the Specific Right on Pearl Exports (DSPE), which could generate between 400 and 500 million XPF per year.
The first campaigns will target Japan and China as priorities, followed by the United States and Europe.
The TPAFP also plans to participate in major international events such as the Basel and Hong Kong trade shows, while favoring a simple and resource-conscious approach.
Beyond promotion, the TPAFP also intends to oversee production and marketing, marking a major evolution in the structuring of the industry.
With the support of more than 300 professionals out of 468, the association fosters an unprecedented climate of dialogue and a true spirit of consensus.
It should be noted that the TPAFP does not compete with the recently created Federation of Pearl Producers of French Polynesia (FPPF), whose focus is more on promoting pearls in jewelry and artistic craftsmanship.
To establish its identity, the TPAFP is launching an open competition for the creation of its logo, offering a prize of one million XPF — a statement of its commitment to firmly anchor the Tahitian pearl on the world stage.
