Suzhou Pearl Market
A large percentage (perhaps up to 90%) of the world’s freshwater pearls come from China. A major location of pearl production in China is the Suzhou area. Suzhou is a city located in Jiangsu province in the Yangtze Delta, to the west of Shanghai. A large part of the city is covered in water and the city is split by the Grand Canal. The city has a modern section that includes an industrial park and also has an old section that retains buildings from the traditional Chinese era. Suzhou is an ancient city with a history of 2,500 years. There are many tourist attractions in Suzhou including numerous shops, gardens, Han Shan Temple, Panmen Gate, and the Suzhou Pearl Market.
The Suzhou Pearl Market is located near Taihu Lake. It is a shopping center with individually operated booths, which sell raw pearls, pearl jewelry, pearl trinkets, and other non-pearl jewelry. Jewelry can be strung on the spot and many booths will make custom pearl accessories. Freshwater pearls in the market are sold for very low prices and the economic competition is fierce. As is the case in many other Chinese markets, heavy price negotiation occurs at the Suzhou Pearl Market.
References
Anonymous. "Suzhou Pearl Market." Suzhou Pearl Market | City Weekend.
Ringier China, 15 Apr. 2013. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Jcweber. "The Pearl Market." Year in Suzhou: The Pearl Market. Blogger, 11 June 2011. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Picture Sources:
ap.jll.com
taikongren.net (Photographer:Haga Covners)
media-cdn.tripadvisor.com