Hongqiao Pearl Market (Beijing) and my first “real” pearls - baroque Tahitians

[Pomelo]

After lurking in this Pearls subforum for a few years, I’ve finally gotten round to buying my first “real” pearls!

I went to the Hongqiao Pearl Market in Beijing, fully expecting to pick up a strand of chunky white Edisons, but walked out with baroque peacock Tahitians.

Needless to say, I didn’t really *get* pearls until I saw the good stuff in person, especially Tahitians.

First though, I wanted to provide a short review of Hongqiao Pearl Market in Beijing - and sorry, even though I was there for a five hour Pearl extravaganza, I didn’t take any photos of the market itself!

I found out about Hongqiao from the other pearl forum. It’s across two floors of the large Hongqiao shopping centre - the lower floor has smaller stalls in the centre with larger stalls on the edges (a bit like the fine jewellery floor at Harrods, Selfridges, Bergdorfs etc), and the upper floor has more “established” shops with higher pricing.

To be honest, I hadn’t done much price comparison except using Pearl Paradise as a benchmark so can’t speak to the price at the market (except that they’re cheaper, but I don’t know how to compare PP quality grading vs what I saw in person!).

However, a couple of the vendors did mention that the pearl market in China is quite soft at the moment - prices of Tahitians have fallen, akoyas and WSS have stabilised and GSS is the only one where prices are edging up. Saying that, it could be a sales tactic as I ended up focussing on Tahitians

I don’t know the exact number, but there are definitely over 50 pearl vendors (and a few others doing mostly semi-precious gems with a small selection of small precious gems), and it’s so fun to see their wares. All of them carry white freshwaters and lower quality akoyas and WSS, but each stall differs by the finer pearls.

It definitely pays to shop around for two reasons. First, each stall carries only a few strands of fine pearls so seeing more stalls gives better comparison. Second, bargaining is expected in China - whilst I definitely didn’t pay the “lowest” price for my Tahitians, they represent good value to me and I love them!

Ok, onto the pearls - and apologies for the rushed photos - I only have photos of me wearing them whilst trying them on in the market, and at the airport (as we’re catching a flight soon after).

I saw this strand fairly early on in the five hour pearl romp, and couldn’t get it out of my head. It’s the first time I’d seen good quality Tahitians and once I put them on - BAM! The high contrast between the dark toned body and bright, sharp reflection was glorious!

I must’ve tried on 15-20 more strands of Tahitians ranging in price (from 400-6000 USD) but kept coming back to this one as the benchmark. The vendor said these are a “classic” peacock but I’d love to have your thoughts on what vocab I should use to describe these?

Here are the photos in store. Bear in mind that the market is indoors with no natural lighting:




And on a murky day at the airport (with airport carpet haha!):





And the shot that sealed the deal for me: I think Tahitians look so good on the neck, and I love it with black (which makes up most of my wardrobe):

And video:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

For me, the baroque shape is fun and modern, and I am already planning on my next strand of baroques in a lighter tone

 

[Pomelo]

And I just wanted to add a photo of my (highly unimpressed) husband humouring me by trying them on - it’s a bit too short on him, but look so so good around his neck! I can see the high shine lustre from 20 metres away (but couldn’t get a good photo).

One of the male vendors at Hongqiao wore a strand of silvery baroque Tahitians that looked amazing on him.

Pearls on men ROCK!

 

[pearlsngems]

You made a great choice! They are clearly high quality pearls, and I think they look fabulous on you!

 

[Pearlescence]

Great pearls, look fabulous and you are clearly in looooove with them. I stopped being amazed at how often the first strand a customer picks up is the one they buy.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Hong xiao is such a fun place if you don’t mind some bartering! They look amazing on you!

 

[newtojewels]

After lurking in this Pearls subforum for a few years, I’ve finally gotten round to buying my first “real” pearls!

I went to the Hongqiao Pearl Market in Beijing, fully expecting to pick up a strand of chunky white Edisons, but walked out with baroque peacock Tahitians.

Needless to say, I didn’t really *get* pearls until I saw the good stuff in person, especially Tahitians.

First though, I wanted to provide a short review of Hongqiao Pearl Market in Beijing - and sorry, even though I was there for a five hour Pearl extravaganza, I didn’t take any photos of the market itself!

I found out about Hongqiao from the other pearl forum. It’s across two floors of the large Hongqiao shopping centre - the lower floor has smaller stalls in the centre with larger stalls on the edges (a bit like the fine jewellery floor at Harrods, Selfridges, Bergdorfs etc), and the upper floor has more “established” shops with higher pricing.

To be honest, I hadn’t done much price comparison except using Pearl Paradise as a benchmark so can’t speak to the price at the market (except that they’re cheaper, but I don’t know how to compare PP quality grading vs what I saw in person!).

However, a couple of the vendors did mention that the pearl market in China is quite soft at the moment - prices of Tahitians have fallen, akoyas and WSS have stabilised and GSS is the only one where prices are edging up. Saying that, it could be a sales tactic as I ended up focussing on Tahitians

I don’t know the exact number, but there are definitely over 50 pearl vendors (and a few others doing mostly semi-precious gems with a small selection of small precious gems), and it’s so fun to see their wares. All of them carry white freshwaters and lower quality akoyas and WSS, but each stall differs by the finer pearls.

It definitely pays to shop around for two reasons. First, each stall carries only a few strands of fine pearls so seeing more stalls gives better comparison. Second, bargaining is expected in China - whilst I definitely didn’t pay the “lowest” price for my Tahitians, they represent good value to me and I love them!

Ok, onto the pearls - and apologies for the rushed photos - I only have photos of me wearing them whilst trying them on in the market, and at the airport (as we’re catching a flight soon after).

I saw this strand fairly early on in the five hour pearl romp, and couldn’t get it out of my head. It’s the first time I’d seen good quality Tahitians and once I put them on - BAM! The high contrast between the dark toned body and bright, sharp reflection was glorious!

I must’ve tried on 15-20 more strands of Tahitians ranging in price (from 400-6000 USD) but kept coming back to this one as the benchmark. The vendor said these are a “classic” peacock but I’d love to have your thoughts on what vocab I should use to describe these?

Here are the photos in store. Bear in mind that the market is indoors with no natural lighting:




And on a murky day at the airport (with airport carpet haha!):





And the shot that sealed the deal for me: I think Tahitians look so good on the neck, and I love it with black (which makes up most of my wardrobe):

And video:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

For me, the baroque shape is fun and modern, and I am already planning on my next strand of baroques in a lighter tone

These suit you and the jewelry I've seen of yours so well! I can see why you kept going back to them Congratulations!

 

[Catmom]

They are gorgeous and look fabulous on you! And now the Tahitian obsession begins, lol.

 

[Pomelo]

You made a great choice! They are clearly high quality pearls, and I think they look fabulous on you!

Thank you! Not gonna lie, sometimes I second guess myself and genuinely think “I shoulda made a thread about it on PS first”, but I really liked the strand and went with my gut!

Great pearls, look fabulous and you are clearly in looooove with them. I stopped being amazed at how often the first strand a customer picks up is the one they buy.

Haha, I wonder why that is? Is it because we’re usually used to lower quality strands that the first time we see high quality pearls, it makes a mark?

Hong xiao is such a fun place if you don’t mind some bartering! They look amazing on you!

Thank you! Yes, really enjoyed it! How was your Hongqiao experience and did you get anything from there?
I’ve been told that there’s a big pearl market in Hangzhou/Yiwu too, so might visit it in Sept/Oct when we go to Hangzhou to see some relatives

These suit you and the jewelry I've seen of yours so well! I can see why you kept going back to them Congratulations!

Hehe thanks, I think you’re right - I like my jewellery to have a bit of edge so baroque Tahitians are just the thing

They are gorgeous and look fabulous on you! And now the Tahitian obsession begins, lol.

Thank you! Haha the obsession is indeed real

 

[canuk-gal]

They are gorgeous and look fabulous on you! And now the Tahitian obsession begins, lol.

+ a billion

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

After lurking in this Pearls subforum for a few years, I’ve finally gotten round to buying my first “real” pearls!

I went to the Hongqiao Pearl Market in Beijing, fully expecting to pick up a strand of chunky white Edisons, but walked out with baroque peacock Tahitians.

Needless to say, I didn’t really *get* pearls until I saw the good stuff in person, especially Tahitians.

First though, I wanted to provide a short review of Hongqiao Pearl Market in Beijing - and sorry, even though I was there for a five hour Pearl extravaganza, I didn’t take any photos of the market itself!

I found out about Hongqiao from the other pearl forum. It’s across two floors of the large Hongqiao shopping centre - the lower floor has smaller stalls in the centre with larger stalls on the edges (a bit like the fine jewellery floor at Harrods, Selfridges, Bergdorfs etc), and the upper floor has more “established” shops with higher pricing.

To be honest, I hadn’t done much price comparison except using Pearl Paradise as a benchmark so can’t speak to the price at the market (except that they’re cheaper, but I don’t know how to compare PP quality grading vs what I saw in person!).

However, a couple of the vendors did mention that the pearl market in China is quite soft at the moment - prices of Tahitians have fallen, akoyas and WSS have stabilised and GSS is the only one where prices are edging up. Saying that, it could be a sales tactic as I ended up focussing on Tahitians

I don’t know the exact number, but there are definitely over 50 pearl vendors (and a few others doing mostly semi-precious gems with a small selection of small precious gems), and it’s so fun to see their wares. All of them carry white freshwaters and lower quality akoyas and WSS, but each stall differs by the finer pearls.

It definitely pays to shop around for two reasons. First, each stall carries only a few strands of fine pearls so seeing more stalls gives better comparison. Second, bargaining is expected in China - whilst I definitely didn’t pay the “lowest” price for my Tahitians, they represent good value to me and I love them!

Ok, onto the pearls - and apologies for the rushed photos - I only have photos of me wearing them whilst trying them on in the market, and at the airport (as we’re catching a flight soon after).

I saw this strand fairly early on in the five hour pearl romp, and couldn’t get it out of my head. It’s the first time I’d seen good quality Tahitians and once I put them on - BAM! The high contrast between the dark toned body and bright, sharp reflection was glorious!

I must’ve tried on 15-20 more strands of Tahitians ranging in price (from 400-6000 USD) but kept coming back to this one as the benchmark. The vendor said these are a “classic” peacock but I’d love to have your thoughts on what vocab I should use to describe these?

Here are the photos in store. Bear in mind that the market is indoors with no natural lighting:




And on a murky day at the airport (with airport carpet haha!):





And the shot that sealed the deal for me: I think Tahitians look so good on the neck, and I love it with black (which makes up most of my wardrobe):

And video:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

For me, the baroque shape is fun and modern, and I am already planning on my next strand of baroques in a lighter tone

wow !
they look amazing and amazing on you
beautiful !

the pearl market sounds really interesting and also fun when one love pearls but im no good at bargaining, its just not in my genes, i would need to shop with a local or someone from a culture where they haggle over price

i do hope that is true that pearl prices are dropping

 

[Pomelo]

+ a billion

Teehee for sure!

wow !
they look amazing and amazing on you
beautiful !

the pearl market sounds really interesting and also fun when one love pearls but im no good at bargaining, its just not in my genes, i would need to shop with a local or someone from a culture where they haggle over price

i do hope that is true that pearl prices are dropping

Thank you!
Tbh I’m not sure if they are dropping (as I’ve not followed pearl prices much) or if that was a sales tactic to get me to buy. Either way, I’m happy with my strand and must fight the urge to look at more / do the internal battle of being happy with what I have

 

[Pearlescence]

Haha, I wonder why that is? Is it because we’re usually used to lower quality strands that the first time we see high quality pearls, it makes a mark?

No, It is, I think more visceral. Just like we decide who to love, which house to buy and stuff like that based on the first sighting in the first few seconds. Bam!

 

[ExplorePS]

Looks lovely on both you and your husband! Edgy and glamorous! Congrats.

 

[NY_Resonant]

Beautiful choice, I love the color. Similar style color Tahitian to the one I got my mom! At the end of the day, the pearls that our eyes fall in love with and look good on our necks are never wrong!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I’m actually returning to China soon. May need to add hong xiao to the stops

 

[Pomelo]

Looks lovely on both you and your husband! Edgy and glamorous! Congrats.

Thank you! My husband is not really a jewellery man, but my brother wears both rings and earrings on a daily basis so I’m plotting to get him to wear my Tahitians when he comes to visit

Beautiful choice, I love the color. Similar style color Tahitian to the one I got my mom! At the end of the day, the pearls that our eyes fall in love with and look good on our necks are never wrong!

Thank you! I’ll have to go back and look at the thread on your mum’s pearls (I must say, your female relatives are so lucky to have you in the family haha!)

I’m actually returning to China soon. May need to add hong xiao to the stops

Ooh let me know when you’re here, I’d love to tag along if you’ll let me hehe (I’m currently based in Beijing)
I’m also likely going to Hangzhou/Yiwu this autumn, which I believe is where you can find the freshwater wholesale markets…

 

[Pomelo]

After reading countless more pearl threads, realised I missed out some important info:
- Pearls graduate from 12.9mm to 8.8mm (assuming baroque pearls are measured along the longest axis)
- Photo in direct sunlight
- Surface blemishes: most pearls have a few spots but not too obvious from a social distance, four or five have a mottled/wrinkled effect at the pointy side of the baroque

 

[pearlsngems]

Lovely! Enjoy them!

Regarding your comment about how to measure pearls:
Drilled pearls are are measured perpendicular to the drill hole, whatever the shape.

For button shaped pearls, that would mean they'd be measured on the longer axis, but in the case of your pearls, which are elongated, the axis that is measured will be the shorter one. You may wish to measure them again, if only for your own information.

 

[Pomelo]

Lovely! Enjoy them!

Regarding your comment about how to measure pearls:
Drilled pearls are are measured perpendicular to the drill hole, whatever the shape.

For button shaped pearls, that would mean they'd be measured on the longer axis, but in the case of your pearls, which are elongated, the axis that is measured will be the shorter one. You may wish to measure them again, if only for your own information.

Hehe thanks for the info! I was watching a livestream with baroque strands that looked bigger than mine but had a smaller mm… now I know

Will re-measure them later, thank you! So much to learn!!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Ooh let me know when you’re here, I’d love to tag along if you’ll let me hehe (I’m currently based in Beijing)
I’m also likely going to Hangzhou/Yiwu this autumn, which I believe is where you can find the freshwater wholesale markets…

We actually may end up not going since I’m hosting my in laws on their first trip to China and I don’t think they want to go. Shoot.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

We actually may end up not going since I’m hosting my in laws on their first trip to China and I don’t think they want to go. Shoot.

hmmmm
this is not right
its your trip too and you can be expectd to want to do the odd thing that might interest you

your mum in law might enjoy the experience
an older workmate of mine has a Chinese wife and every two years she drags him all over China with her China based family going to all sorts of weird and absolutly wonderful places often way off the foreign tourist map and that he would never pick on his own
and he loves it
this is a very tall European man who has school kids point and laugh where ever he goes, her family are always laughing and taking pictures of his large shoes

the pearl market might turn out to be an unexpected highlight for your mother in law, especially if she sees something she likes, perhaps father in law could buy her a momento of the trip?......

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I don’t mind. I come back to China yearly or at least I did pre Covid. The in laws are not at all interested in jewelry. Also China mostly deals in freshwater pearls and I’m more an akoya girl.

I actually went to a market in Shanghai that had some pearl vendors. Saw some nice single large Edison’s but asking price was 100-200$ and I wasn’t in the mood to haggle especially since I couldn’t think of anything I would do with them

 

[Pomelo]

Re-measured my pearls and they’re 8.4-11.0mm, not 8.8-12.9mm!

Attaching a couple more photos of the clasp for reference. The strand comprises of (1) pearls are 39cm long, (2) clasp that is 2+2cm with the infinity-shaped extender, to take it to 43cm full length.

Clasp came with the strand and is 925 silver with what I suspect is CZ (don’t know for sure).

 

[yssie]

Oooh @Pomelo They're so glossy, they look wet And that deep green is my absolute favourite Tahitian colour, rich and velvety and cozy

I can see you working styling magic with a long light-bodied baroque strand…

 

[Pomelo]

Oooh @Pomelo They're so glossy, they look wet And that deep green is my absolute favourite Tahitian colour, rich and velvety and cozy

I can see you working styling magic with a long light-bodied baroque strand…

Haha yes, I’m working on it!

I ordered a few grey/silver Tahitians to try on at home but have found them to be visually similar in tone to my current strand when they’re on the neck, so I’ll have to try on some that are even lighter bodied. Maybe some grey/blue baroque akoyas as I’d like a lighter coloured strand to have smaller pearls.

Below are a couple of grey Tahitian strands I tried on but returned.

I’ve also discovered that whilst I drool over colourful pearls in photos and on others, I don’t like them on myself. I tried on a multicolour baroque Tahitian strand (one of the very knobbly baroques was a vibrant blue!) that had decent lustre, but just couldn’t seem to enjoy them on my neck.

It’s been a fun learning curve these past few weeks!

ETA: in case anyone is wondering, I’m getting these strands from online sellers in China via livestream (Douyin aka the Chinese TikTok and RED aka the Chinese Instagram). I’m finding it helpful to try on strands at home as there’s usually a 2 day returns policy and it gives me time to compare & noodle. The quality control has generally been good except when I was pearl catfished once haha - the actual item was so so so bad.

 

[yssie]

So I do actually see a fair bit of difference between those Tahitians that you’re wearing, I feel like the lighting you’re showing them in here might create the biggest visual differential though. Several years ago there was a run on “white Tahitians”, which are really just very light-bodies greys, my understanding is that they’re quite rare though (without sacrificing some other factors). But I never mind waiting for the right pearls

BUT what dyou think of a long strand of small round white akoya? A complete contrast with your Tahitians?

I hear you on the multicolours… They look lovely on you but you gotta love ‘em! For me they have to be the only thing I’m wearing, otherwise it’s just too much. I do love a good multicolour but they’re a lot harder to style!

 

[Pomelo]

So I do actually see a fair bit of difference between those Tahitians that you’re wearing, I feel like the lighting you’re showing them in here might create the biggest visual differential though. Several years ago there was a run on “white Tahitians”, which are really just very light-bodies greys, my understanding is that they’re quite rare though (without sacrificing some other factors). But I never mind waiting for the right pearls

BUT what dyou think of a long strand of small round white akoya? A complete contrast with your Tahitians?

I hear you on the multicolours… They look lovely on you but you gotta love ‘em! For me they have to be the only thing I’m wearing, otherwise it’s just too much. I do love a good multicolour but they’re a lot harder to style!

It’s a (first-world, PS pearl sub-forum) crime but I haven’t had a chance to try on good quality akoyas yet! I tried on some slightly blue akoya (8-9mm baroques) and liked the effect but would be on the lookout for a higher quality strand.

In my head, I’d like my next strand to be grey/blue rather than white/pinked as I prefer cooler tones. But I definitely need to compare them on the neck. All I know is that I like the baroque shape the most because it looks so organic!

Re: length, I’m not good at wearing longer necklaces as I bash them against things or get them caught in things so most of my necklaces are 18inch or shorter. But I’m happy to be convinced otherwise hehe - how would you style a longer strand @yssie?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

It’s a (first-world, PS pearl sub-forum) crime but I haven’t had a chance to try on good quality akoyas yet! I tried on some slightly blue akoya (8-9mm baroques) and liked the effect but would be on the lookout for a higher quality strand.

In my head, I’d like my next strand to be grey/blue rather than white/pinked as I prefer cooler tones. But I definitely need to compare them on the neck. All I know is that I like the baroque shape the most because it looks so organic!

Re: length, I’m not good at wearing longer necklaces as I bash them against things or get them caught in things so most of my necklaces are 18inch or shorter. But I’m happy to be convinced otherwise hehe - how would you style a longer strand @yssie?

those are just beautiful
please wear them today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[yssie]

It’s a (first-world, PS pearl sub-forum) crime but I haven’t had a chance to try on good quality akoyas yet! I tried on some slightly blue akoya (8-9mm baroques) and liked the effect but would be on the lookout for a higher quality strand.

In my head, I’d like my next strand to be grey/blue rather than white/pinked as I prefer cooler tones. But I definitely need to compare them on the neck. All I know is that I like the baroque shape the most because it looks so organic!

Re: length, I’m not good at wearing longer necklaces as I bash them against things or get them caught in things so most of my necklaces are 18inch or shorter. But I’m happy to be convinced otherwise hehe - how would you style a longer strand @yssie?

Love those baby baroques on you. Okay they’re not babies but compared to your greenies

Yeah, if you worry about care and feeding of a longer strand - akoya probably not a good idea. They’re not as delicate as some corners of the internet would have you think but… Yeah. They’re not gonna be as hardy as Ts or SSs.

Akoya greys are a great colour for someone who prefers cooler pearls! I think it would be really hard to find a tahitian strand with body as light as grey akoya usually are TBH. You must try some regular pinked whites sometime though. Just to be sure

I don’t do necklaces so I’m no help on the styling I’m afraid! I love the look of a loooong strand twisted into a haphazard knot in photos. I don’t know how wearable or comfortable it’d be IRL though. Kinda like this? But more haphazard?



At an event I recently attended an older lady was wearing a graduated triple-strand necklace - oh-so-casually with a plain white button down and striped pants, and her whole look was just phenomenal. Never would have thought to pair stripes in clothing with “stripes” of pearls

 

[Pearlescence]

When the time comes for your gorgeous tahitians to be re-strung you might consider plumping for dark green or black silk