My First Hong Kong Pearl Buying Trip
Team member Lynsey joined Hisano and Jeremy on the March 2014 Hong Kong Jewelry Show buying trip
What an amazing trip! This past week I had the opportunity to join Jeremy and Hisano at the International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show in Hong Kong. I arrived late on Sunday night, exhausted but excited to see what Hong Kong and the buying trip was all about. After a 17-hour flight straight across the Pacific ocean I jumped on a train and headed to the Kowloon side of Hong Kong to meet up with J & H who had arrived earlier that week. The city was a blur of lights, people and speeding double-stacked buses. Every corner was lit up with neon signs and high-rise buildings. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I got settled into my hotel for the night only to realize that 9 p.m. in Hong Kong meant 5 a.m. to me. Surprisingly enough, between the time difference and my excitement I still managed to get some sleep.
The show started first thing on Monday morning and I must have been running on pure adrenaline. I have never in my life seen so many pearls! Every color, size, type and quality imaginable as far as the eye could see. It was overwhelming and inspiring all at the same time. I spent three days at the show learning about the buying process and what really goes into finding quality pearls amidst the massive quantities that are being cultured. While we were there collecting strands for Pearl Paradise and searching for wish list items, I went hunting for the ever elusive metallic white pearls. I can honestly say that metallic strands are one in a million. Out of hundreds of booths and hundreds of vendors from all over Asia, there were only a handful of metallic pearls to be found. I knew they were uncommon and hard to find but I had no clue how exceptional they truly were. To find even one strand was an accomplishment!
My Hong Kong trip was quick, but the experience was immense and not one I will soon forget! The majority of my days were spent at the show working with the pearls, where hours can escape from you in what seems like a manner of minutes. Under the intensity of the bright lights with so much to look at I felt awake and energized all day until I sat down for dinner of course, where my biggest battle each night was keeping my eyes open long enough to enjoy the amazing food in front of me.
Despite my busy schedule I managed to do a little exploring and see a few sites! It was a whirlwind adventure that felt like a dream after the long flight back and two days of sleeping off jet lag. I’m back in the office now watching as the packages of pearls from the show start to arrive and getting to share my excitement with everyone else as they are opened!
It’s true what they say there is no place like home, but it seems to me that there is no place like Hong Kong either!
Back in Los Angeles with some of the pearls we selected in Hong Kong
Sarah, it was lovely to meet you as well. I feel like I merely scratched the surface as far as Pearl shows go, but what a way to start!
Lynsey, It was a pleasure to meet you…. and always a pleasure to see someone come alive in the world of pearl shows! Cheers, Sarah
“Double Decker” is definitely a better name!
The train was from the airport to Kowloon. It was the Airport Express. The show was at Asia World Expo so we took the Express every day back and forth because we stayed in Tsim Sha Tsui. I only got to go to the Hong Kong side once for dinner.
The so-called “Double-stacked buses” are known as the “Double Decker” which is one of the most favourite means of public transportation for the British and their former colonies. As for the train from Kowloon to Hong Kong side, I assume that is the underground subway.
The trip was great! I found some beautiful white metallic strands, and I was lucky enough to help Hisano select a few really amazing Souffle pearls as well. More picture to come!
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