buying pearls in Beijing

[supercharget]

I'll be going to Beijing next year with a few friends and I'd like to buy some pearls while there like black pearls, etc. Has anyone bought pearls in Beijing before? How much does it cost? any ideas?. Thanks!

[Danny]

You won't find real black pearls in Beijing as China mainly produces freshwater pearls. Real black pearls grow in the south pacific in places such as Tahiti. What you'll find in most Beijing markets are imitation black pearls. What they do is use silver nitrate on white pearls to resemble natural color black pearls.

Another thing worth noting as well is that pearl values range based on size, color and the thickness of the outer layer, which can't be easily determined.

If you don't know what a real pearl looks like, you'll find it difficult to purchase good pearls so don't assume because you paid a lot of money for them that they're worth their price.

[synotrip]

Hongqiao Pearl market is a good place.