Do all forms of pearl treatment require disclosure?

[pbazar]

Do all forms of pearl treatment require disclosure?

[Museum Way Pearls]

All forms of pearl treatment should be disclosed, but most are not. This is an age-old debate. South Sea producers believe all treatments should be disclosed, claiming that South Sea pearls are not treated like akoya and freshwater. But South Sea pearls are routinely polished in Australia, and most go through a sort of maeshori in Japan.

Tahitian pearls are not treated in any way when they leave Tahiti, but they are immediately polished and treated (not chemically) to enhance their luster when and if they pass through Japan.

So are Tahitian pearls and South Sea pearls to be considered treated? How is the end consumer or even a memo-based jeweler to know whether or not any treatments have been done to them?

Akoya pearls are likely the highest-treated type of pearl. But ask a jeweler if their akoya pearls have been treated and 99% will answer 'no.' They simply do not know that akoya pearls are nearly universally bleached, pinked, subjected to maeshori, often dyed and certainly polished. Should this be disclosed? Which treatments should be disclosed? How many pearl sellers even know of all these treatments?

Freshwater pearls are quickly following the way of the akoya with bleaching, dyeing, luster enhancements and so on.

My belief is that a better-educated consumer is a better customer. I think all treatments should be openly discussed, and I've found that my customers trust me more because I understand treatments; I know what they are for, I know if and when my pearls have been treated (my Tahitian pearls have not, but I know all akoya and freshwater pearls have), and I know to watch for any sort of over-treatment when dealing with akoya and freshwater.

I also believe retail jewelers need more education with pearls in general. They need to be informed and educated about treatments, nacre issues, environmental impact issues associated with pearls ... everything. This will stem the flow of misinformation in the market and create more trust and confidence in consumers.

S. Trotta
Museum Way Pearls, Tahitian Pearl Specialists
Tahitian Pearl Earrings and Tahitian Pearl Jewelry