Pearls as an investment - why pearl jewellery is the perfect value investment now

In a world that can produce and multiply so much artificially, truly beautiful, pure natural products have become a rarity. Pearls are one of those rare treasures, a jewel of the oceans that holds its value steadily and will not lose it for the foreseeable future. Pearl cultivation is a science in itself, which only a few pearl farmers worldwide have been living and passing on on their farms for generations. Clear water, an eye and a heart for nature and the ethical handling of the oysters are important and even necessary aspects to enable the sustainable cultivation of valuable pearls.

So if you want to expand your investment portfolio or simply invest your money wisely, you may never have thought of pearls as an investment. While the demand for high quality pearls is increasing, the supply is decreasing due to environmental influences and the consequences of the global pandemic. In the following, you will learn why pearls are the best investment choice and how you can build up your pearl collection step by step. 

What makes pearls so precious?

In order to understand the meaning behind investing in pearls, you need to know some basic facts about pearls and pearl cultivation, because: It is in the nature of pearl cultivation that their value lies in the first place, which is made up of a unique symbiosis of nature, man and an appropriate portion of luck.

- Good pearls are rare

Anyone who knows anything about pearl cultivation knows that not every nucleus used results in a successful harvest - a pearl. If it does, even among the resulting pearls only a small percentage, about one tenth, is suitable for the jewellery market. Only a fraction of these, about 3%, meet the absolute top requirements for highest quality. In this context, it is easy to see that high quality pearls are a real rarity.

- Few pearl farmers

The profession of a pearl farmer, who has to manage an entire pearl farm, involves intensive, hard work in the harsh outdoors and in many places is a lifelong vocation. It is not surprising that young people do not want to enter their parents' industry and thus leave behind the pearl farms that have been run for generations. As a result, pearl farming will become rarer and more expensive in the future, which in turn will drive up the value of pearls.

- Harvests declined considerably as a result of the pandemic

The Corona pandemic did not leave the pearl farming sector untouched. Strict travel bans and quarantines prevented specialists such as oyster operators from carrying out their work in the farming areas. Thousands of oysters had to do without the nucleus and the inserted mantle tissue, so that right now there are hardly any growing pearls to be found in the oysters. Upcoming harvests will be very small, which will also increase the value of the pearls.

- Good pearl quality is highly dependent on the climate

Climate change and increased sea temperatures have a particularly strong impact on such nature-bound creatures as oysters and thus on pearl farming. When the water gets warmer, the oysters become more susceptible to disease. This makes farming more difficult and also decimates the harvest.

Clear and clean water is also an essential factor for pure, well-coated pearls. If the water becomes warmer and more polluted, pure, unblemished pearls will become increasingly rare.

- Outstanding price development at auctions

The price of high-quality pearls is rising continuously. Particularly strong in the years 2021 and 2022 affected by the pandemic - for certain good qualities the increase in value is even over 30%! The "International Gem Society" quotes "A2Z Market Research", which predicts an average annual growth of about 13% for the pearl jewellery market. Harper's Bazaar also announces a "great comeback of Princess Diana's favourite jewel - pearls" in 2022 and 2023. Fine pearl necklaces at Sotheby's auction house are in the five-figure range and rising. Last year, the auction house even auctioned off a natural pearl necklace with a brilliant-cut diamond from Marie-Antoinette for 36 million US dollars - a world record price for pearls to date. This trend in the luxury sector can also be expected to lead to a high potential increase in value and even greater popularity.

How do you maintain the value of genuine pearls?

First and foremost, it is important to choose really high-quality and proven pearls (more details on the selection of the right pearls in the next paragraph). Only when top quality is given do pearls really pay off as an investment.

The proper care of pearls plays an important role. When wearing pearls, avoid direct contact with cosmetic products such as hairspray, deodorant or perfume. These can attack the fine calcium structure of the pearl and thus damage the shimmer (lustre). We also recommend gently wiping the pearls clean of skin and cosmetic residues with a fine cloth after each wear. You can find more information about pearl care on our website.

Which type of pearl should I invest in?

With the decision to invest in pearls, the question arises as to exactly which pearls are best for you as a non-connoisseur of the pearl world. As a leading importer of cultured pearls with over 50 years of expertise, we classify the following pearl types as particularly valuable:

- Akoya pearls
Akoya pearls originate from Japan and are usually between 2 and 11mm in size. They are mainly available in a delicate, classic white-rosé or silver colour and have a silky, deep lustre thanks to their very hard mother-of-pearl layer.

- Tahiti pearls
Tahiti pearls are darker than other types: from silver grey to anthracite green, aubergine, peacock feather blue to black, shimmer these extravagant pearls. There are also bronze and chocolate-coloured varieties. They come from French Polynesia and range in size from 7 to 18mm - an exclusive choice for those who love something special!

- South Sea pearls
South Sea pearls come from Australia, Indonesia or the Philippines and Myanmar. Between 8 and 20mm in size, this type of pearl shimmers predominantly in classic white-silver to exciting gold tones. Just like the other types of pearls, they have an extremely hard and resistant mother-of-pearl coating. With their fascinating lustre, they belong to the royal class among pearls and are usually also the most valuable.

 

What makes the jewellery and pearls by YANA NESPER so special?

Even for those who do not put design first, YANA NESPER's jewellery creations are just as convincing as they are for lovers of aesthetics. YANA NESPER always and exclusively uses the finest qualities of the available pearl harvests.

The family business HEINZ NESPER GmbH selects the pearls on site at the culture farms and always pays attention to a good coating of the pearls, which is essential for best quality. Pearls from sustainable cultivation, with an unmistakable luster and breathtaking lustre. Every YANA NESPER piece is worth the investment.Glanz. Jedes YANA NESPER Stück ist eine Investition wert.

 

How to start strategically building your pearl collection as a value investment - step by step

1. Your first step towards a well-assembled and valuable pearl collection is to choose your pearl merchant. Make absolutely sure that you choose a trustworthy and qualified expert, as this is the only way to ensure that your pearls are of lasting value.

2. Due to their rarity, it is advisable to invest only in large sizes of Akoya, South Sea or Tahiti pearl types. Of course, smaller pearls are also valuable, but here, as in other areas of investment, the rarer the pearl, the higher its value. With pearls, this is particularly reflected in their size.

3. Pearls that you can later work into jewellery or pearls that are already integrated into a piece of jewellery are perfect. This means, for example, that pairs are to be preferred over single pearls. This guarantees additional value for your choice of pearls.

4. Start with a small but fine assortment of a single type of pearl - Akoya, South Sea or Tahiti pearls are best as mentioned before. In addition to the pearl size, always pay attention to the quality criteria of colour, shape, clean and flawless surface and especially a good luster. This will ensure that your pearls and pearl jewellery retain their value to the maximum. If you also wear your collector's items, be sure to take proper care of your pearls.

 

In summary: High-quality pearls and pearl jewellery are a fabulous investment, because they...

  • ...are a natural product that cannot be multiplied at will

  • ...are rare, especially those of excellent quality

  • ...are highly desirable worldwide, with extremely increasing demand in Asia

  • ...enjoy long-term increases in value

  • ...are wearable

  • ...are easy to transport

  • ...are recognised as jewels worldwide

  • ...are relatively easy to care for

 

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