Rapaport’s 2026 pearl market report quotes Eric Yen on stable freshwater pearl prices and the new natural purples that keep surprising buyers at every show.
Rapaport Magazine reports that China, which absorbs about 75% of the world’s pearls, has slowed its buying. That leaves more supply and softer prices for U.S. dealers, just as colored stones and pearls lead jewelry-store sales.
On Chinese freshwater pearls, Eric Yen told Rapaport that prices are fairly stable after the run-ups of 2022 and 2023, with production growing in small 3–6 mm sizes and in 7–8 mm bead-nucleated pearls.
He also pointed to the constant stream of new natural colors: because every harvest is slightly different, a new shade of purple seems to appear about every six months, and a color buyers see one year may not be available the next.
Summary by Yen’s Jewelry. The full article is published by Rapaport.
More from the press
Tucson 2026: Pearl Market Report
GIA’s Spring 2026 report from the Tucson shows opens with our multicolor Edison strand, 10–13 mm in every color on the market, as large freshwater pearls led the year’s pearl trade.
Why Pearl Dealers Belong on Instagram
AGTA’s look at Instagram for the gem trade features Eric Yen on how @yensjewelry reaches wholesale buyers year-round, alongside our ombré South Sea strands.
AGTA Gift Guide: Our 16–20 mm White South Sea Strand
AGTA’s holiday photo shoot of rare, fine gems and pearls for fourth-quarter gifting featured our 16–20 mm cultured white South Sea pearl strand.