The price of popular categories has risen 80% a year, and pearls have become the "favorite" of young people

Since this year, the global jewelry market has recovered. After gold and jadeite, recently, pearl has become a new "top stream", and pearl accessories are quietly popular among young people. Young people are keen on buying pearls, which also drives the market price up all the way. Some popular pearl categories have increased by 80%.

Pearl jewelry becomes the "new favorite" of young people

In the afternoon of October 17, people gathered on the third floor of Hongqiao Wholesale Market to select and try on pearls. The stall owners were busy making jewelry for consumers. In the past, most of the people who came here to buy pearls were wholesalers and elderly aunts. Since this year, young people have more and more faces.

In front of a counter, two young white-collar workers of the "post-95" generation were looking for pearls. Both of them were wearing pearl pendants. "I bought this from the online broadcast room a while ago. Winter is coming, so I want to choose another pearl necklace as a sweater chain.

"In addition to the size, shape and color of pearls, we also need to look at their luster and flaw. This string can only be regarded as an ornament, and this string can be called a jewelry." In the counter, the stall owner Xiao Luo is introducing two strings of pearl necklaces with prices of 380 yuan and 2800 yuan respectively.

The shop run by Xiao Luo has been in Hongqiao market for 25 years. "The pearls are on fire, and more and more young people like pearls, some of whom are becoming regular customers." Xiao Luo told reporters that most young people buy from cheap freshwater pearl Edison and small size baby pearl necklaces, and then start to buy baroque pearls and seawater pearls of different shapes.

As the most famous pearl jewelry distribution center in Beijing, there are many such old shops in Hongqiao Market. A pearl boutique on the fourth floor is mainly engaged in wholesale business. It has been operating here for more than 30 years. Near closing time, two clerks are busy sorting out two boxes of pearls in clusters and a dozen bags of single pearls, ready to send them to other places in the morning. Ms. Lin, the shop assistant, told the reporter that in the past, more than half of the goods in the shop were bought by foreign customers. In recent years, domestic businesses and consumers have gradually become mainstream, especially young people this year.

Tear off the "local flavor" label, and the live broadcast room is hot

In many people's impression, the white and round pearl necklace used to be labeled as "old generation", almost never linked with "fashion" and "refinement", and even seemed a bit old-fashioned. Since this year, the wearing of many traffic stars has transformed pearl jewelry into a necessary fashion item for trendsetters.

In each broadcast room, "top pearl sun gold", "aurora ice and snow queen pendant", "top quality Tahiti peacock green mixed color"... The anchors throw out different pearl varieties and sales scripts every day. According to the statistics of the live broadcast platform, the proportion of young people aged 25 to 30 who order pearls in the live broadcast room has exceeded 50%, nearly doubling compared with the previous years.

Xiao Liu, a citizen, was attracted by the live broadcast room, and had bought nearly 10 models in less than three months. "Pearl is not the original pearl necklace with neck hanging." Liu said while showing the pearl necklace on her neck to the reporter, "This is the popular silver coin this year. An irregular silver chain with a pearl is fashionable and easy to wear."

"The matching design of pearls with broken diamonds, gold, platinum, etc. can become very fashionable and have a high sense of sophistication." A pearl customization practitioner told reporters that recently five WeChat groups built by himself have been full, and new friends have come to buy pearls every once in a while. In the view of this practitioner, young people value cost performance when buying pearls.

Price rises, live broadcast chaos needs supervision

When young people began to rush to buy pearls, the price also rose. According to the data disclosed on the official website of China Jewelry and Jade Jewelry Industry Association, freshwater pearls have generally increased by 30% to 50% in the past year, and some popular pearl categories have increased by as much as 80%.

"Take this freshwater pearl necklace as an example. Last year, a necklace of similar appearance only sold for about 1200 yuan, but now it has sold for 1800 yuan, which is still a situation where we barely make money. The seawater Nanyang pearls that sold for 16800 yuan each can now sell for 22000 yuan." Xiao Luo told reporters that the price of pearls this year has generally risen more than expected.

"There are many reasons for the price increase. The star pearl jewelry with fire, the supply and demand relationship have changed. In order to protect the water source, Zhuji has reduced the scale of breeding, and some large jewelers have begun to stock up when they see a good market," said Xiao Luo.

Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province, known as the "Pearl City of China", is the origin of 80% of freshwater pearls in China. According to the data of Zhejiang Pearl Industry Association, the output of pearls in China will be 1.2 million kg in 2019, down to 1 million kg in 2020 and 800000 kg in 2021.

The reporter noticed that after the pearl became popular, the chaos in the live broadcast room began to appear. Search "Pearl" on Black Cat Complaints, and there are more than 2000 complaints, most of which focus on fake goods, fake clams, and wrong versions. "Some live broadcasts will sell dyed pearls as seawater pearls, and the price of tens of pieces can be several hundred yuan," said a consumer.

key word: Pearl Xiao Luo Live broadcast room Necklace