It all begins in the sea or in a freshwater lake, usually somewhere in Asia, most notably in China, inside a mollusk that is cared for in a pearl farm. Yes, even cultured pearl ring designs that are affordable, set in gold or silver, are crafted from a genuine pearl that grows inside an oyster. How is it possible that rings and pearls jewelry in general be so affordable? They’re cheaper than natural pearl items simply because there are thousands upon thousands of oysters in a controlled area and therefore it’s not left up to the happenstances of nature that a little pearly object forms inside a crustacean, but is caused by a deliberate act of grafting or implanting tissue and a seed to start the pearl process. This means that prices can be reduced because, although it can take over two years for a pearl to develop, and only a small percentage are top grade gem quality pearls, there are still a lot more oysters that are creating them than in nature.

    Pearl farms account for the majority of pearls on the market today, and although they are genuine, there are various sizes, varieties, colors and qualities that make it possible for average individuals to have them as well as offering collectors the opportunity to indulge in investment quality pearl jewelry as well.

    What Happens After The Pearl Farm?

    After the pearls are harvested from the oysters, they must be sorted, graded and sent to jewelers, dealers and designers who will create the items the world wants to buy. The process of sorting and grading pearls may be done on or near the farms, or in the case of the Chinese ones, are often sent to Japan for grading and then shipped from there to buyers. In some cases, what makes pearls even more affordable is that the farms themselves sell their gems directly to the public or to a single wholesaler who crafts jewelry and retails internationally. That is, in fact, a good way to buy the best pearl rings is direct from a retailer who deals directly with a pearl farm, or may be a division of the farm itself. Many designers work closely with, or directly for, the wholesalers and the distributors and therefore the creations may be just as ingenious, classic or contemporary as any of the items that have passed through several hands and end up in pricy showrooms.

    Ordering High Quality Pearl Rings Direct

    You can order your pearl jewelry direct from Chinese companies. And while many things that are “made in China” may not be your first choice and may have the connotation of being inferior, when it comes to pearls this is not exactly the case. Whether you know it or not, whether you buy direct or from a middleman, whether you go to a fancu showroom or order online, chances are you’ll be buying Chinese pearls anyway you slice it, so why not order from the source and save money? Where? There are several top dealers like Shecy Pearls and Oriental Pearls amongst others you will find online.