Artificial Pearls as Discussed in 1909

Artificial Pearls as Discussed in 1909

NEW YORK A lively discussion has arisen among New York jewelers as to whether society is adopting the custom of mingling artificial with genuine pearls. The interviews with Paris jewelers cabled to the New York Herald regarding the imitation pearls in Mrs. Astor’s necklace has stirred New Yorkers. The gem expert of one of the most prominent houses preferred not to be quoted by name, but said such a custom would never gain ground. Mr. Arthur H. Kirkpatrick, the Fifth Avenue jeweler, declared: “I have never been asked to mix imitation with real pearls in a necklace. I wouldn’t sell such a thing. I don’t believe the custom is being adopted.” It was admitted at several other jewelry establishments that mixing artificial with real pearls is sometimes done.

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Phu Quoc, Vietnam, Pearls May Not Be What They Seem

by Thanhnien News

With a reputation for having some of the world’s finest pearls, Phu Quoc island has been flooded with fakes.


At the Dinh Cau night market, where tourists often meander after a day at the beach, pearls are sold at same booths as souvenirs and toys for only a few hundred-thousand dong.

Dozens of stalls at the Ham Ninh Market sell pearl earrings for VND10,000 (US$0.6) apiece alongside snacks and drinks.

One pearl necklace costs VND300,000 ($18) while another that looks nearly identical costs VND3 million ($180).


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Fake Vietnamese Pearls

Pearls are a favorite souvenir of visitors to the beautiful island of Phu Quoc in the far south of Vietnam. However, many are counterfeit, reports Tuoi Tre daily.

According to Le Quoc Tuan at the Kien Giang Planning and Investment Department, there are two genuine pearl producing enterprises on Phu Quoc island. One, in An Thoi town, was once a Japanese venture. The Japanese enterprise failed during the 1997 financial crisis and was subsequently purchased by Ho Phi Thuy, a local resident. It is now in business as Ngoc Hien Enterprises. Thuy has hired a Japanese expert to supervise cultivation of the pearl oysters.



The other workshop is Australian invested. It has been operating for the many years, but not at full capacity.



Thuy said that he has invested many billion dong and hired Japanese experts, but he is still gaining experience. Most of his products are being exported to Japan, and the rest are being sold in Vietnam by his enterprise. “Don’t believe the prices you are quoted by others,” he said. “Phu Quoc pearls will never be so cheap.”


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