Our show preview for Rapaport: younger buyers want smaller, high-quality pearls, plus ombré South Sea strands and freshwater in strong natural colors.
Rapaport asked five exhibitors what they were bringing to JCK Las Vegas in 2024. Eric Yen said we started the year cautiously optimistic and see untapped potential in pearls, with demand for smaller pearls rising among younger buyers.
Our show plans included small, high-quality round freshwater pearls in 2–6 mm as an alternative to hard-to-find akoya; naturally colored freshwater pearls in deep purple and metallic tones; a large selection of South Sea ombré strands; rare 10–11 mm and 11–12 mm akoya strands; and 8–10 mm Tahitian strands graded “ocean blue” by the Pearl Science Laboratory.
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.
Remarkably Large Akoya Pearls
GIA’s Summer 2024 issue covers the record-size akoya strands shown at our booth. Eric Yen explains why pearls this large take more than one harvest to grow.
Four Gem-Market Trends You Need to Know About
Eric Yen on pearl prices, Chinese influencers buying in bulk and why intense purple freshwater pearls are getting hard to find.