Pearl Price Trends in 2025

Pearl prices in 2024 have risen sharply, with the largest impact coming from Chinese demand. There is an unprecedented interest in pearls in China, and buyers are willing to pay very large sums for them. This has caused a shortage of pearl availability and a rapid price increase. Anyone could verify this by visiting the Jewellery and Gem World Hong Kong. Prices went through the roof.

Pearl prices have increased across all categories, with some types seeing price increases of more than twice. For example, the prices of white Akoya (Japanese sea-cultured pearls) have increased by up to 50%. High-quality akoya pearls cost even more... If you could once buy an AAA Akoya strand at auction for 600 Euros, now they cost 2,300 Euros. In mid-summer, popular Chinese series actress Ni Ni advertised and was seen in the blockbuster "Lost in the Stars" with several Tahitian pearl jewelry pieces - in the autumn, Tahitian pearl shelves in stores were literally wiped clean. The wholesale (auction) price for Tahitian cultured pearls increased 3 times this autumn compared to the previous year.

China has not only raised prices but also purchased large volumes of pearls, which has created availability problems for other markets. Pearls are difficult to buy, and prices are very high. Asian country TV shop (live streamers) traders bought up large quantities of freshwater (river) pearls and created their own products - private labels, which were sold in online e-TV shops, with the price of raw materials - pearls increasing by an average of 50 percent in the second half of 2023. It is difficult for traders from other countries and Europe to compete with Chinese buyers, as the Chinese are willing to pay much more for pearls. This could mean that in the future, in 2024 and 2025, pearls will become even more expensive in world markets, including Latvia.

However, there are also some positive aspects to this situation. Pearl producers are gaining additional profits from increased demand and prices, which can help develop the pearl cultivation industry. It was depleted during the COVID-19 pandemic years, with many producers in Japan and French Polynesia closing pearl farms. If you think pearls are too expensive, you need to be patient. Prices may stabilize when demand decreases. You can also consider other types of pearls, for example, choosing freshwater pearls instead of sea pearls (in Latvia, the term "river pearls" is used). This situation is a challenge for the pearl industry, but it also creates new opportunities. It is clear that pearls are not only elegant but also attractive to buyers worldwide. May pearls be with you!