Black Pearls

I read on another forum (BTF) that black pearls are the go in Lombok. More info please? How much? where to find them? what to look out for? sounds exciting?

Thanks in advance...........

You are going to find lot of "Toko Mutiara"s (Shop Pearl) in Lombok and also peddlers on the beach.

Freogirl posted detailed credible information about the pearl industry in Lombok. Perhaps at one time there was a nascent pearl industry in Lombok but my sense is the pearls sold now in Lombok with few exceptions are from China.

If you want to buy good pearls, go to a reliable source.

Josi

Freo has a lot of good info on Lombok pearls. There is a pearl industry in Lombok but the freshwater pearls are imported from China and Vietnam. There was an article in the press recently about how these imports are effecting the Lombok pearl industry.

Lombok has a sea pearl industry, although at the moment only a handful of farms are in operation after the GFC shut quite a few down. Lombok sea pearls are mostly white and golds. I've not seen a black pearl grown in Lombok, but that is not to say it hasn't been done - it just isn't what it's renown for. The sea pearls in Lombok are in varying quality - some very good, others extremely poor. I've seen some pearls that have very large glass beads inside (to make them heavy) with almost no nacre. They feel heavy but that is the glass. I've also seen pearls "almost" to the quality of Australian pearls, and for a lot less $$. Sea pearls are sold by the gram.

Lombok has also been flooded with fresh water pearls from China, and that is mostly what it is famous for. There is no freshwater pearl industry in Lombok. There are some very nice freshwater pearls for sale in Lombok, in just about every colour you can imagine. I have (for example) a gorgeous emerald green pearl necklace that I put together up in Lombok for less than $30 and have had it valued in Australia at over $700 - and that's without an expensive clasp. I also have black freshwater pearls.

You will be approached by freshwater pearl sellers everywhere in the tourist areas.

If you are after a sea pearl, then don't buy off the beach. I've not seen a good quality pearl being sold that way. You also have no real way of knowing the weight. You are looking at upward of 1 million rupiah per pearl for a sea pearl.

Thanks Freo, but if I am not to buy off the beach where do I buy? Bearing in mind we've never been to Lombok so I need comprehensive instructions.

Cheers and thanks in advance

last trip trying to track Lombok pearls - no luck whatsoever - even with our Senggigi helpers!! All from China. Like Freo I have had pearl items made for me. I took over photo of pendant & earrings and had them copied at the Art Markets and also had them make up other items similar to what they had. Absolutely amazing colours!! Also have the green and beautiful purples and grey/black. Paid around $30/$40 per set. Have had them checked at jeweller here, excellent quality silver & strong clasps. He said I would pay $250/$300 plus here.

Hopefully Freo may have a contact for black pearls - would still love some of the real thing!! Deb.

I am not buying retail sea pearls in Lombok so can't give you comprehensive instuctions, just a run-down of the difference and trying to answer your question about black pearls.

You haven't said if you are after sea pearls or fresh water pearls. If you are after sea pearls then perhaps try the pearl store that is between Senggigi and Montong - I can't recall the name. Or Juita Baru in Chakra perhaps.

It is fine to buy freshwater pearls from the beach sellers.

I have no idea what I'm actually looking for............no clue; just wanted a rough idea of where I should start and what to look for..............

Still open to any and all suggestions!

Thanks

Since you are not sure about buying black pearls in Lombok, here is a suggestion.

1. When you go through Bali airport for Lombok, check out one of the stores selling silver and other items including pearls. If they have black pearls, it will give you an idea of the pearls but the price they offer is NOT the price you want to pay in Lombok.

2. At Holiday Resort in Lombok ask the Reservations Manager Siska or someone at the Desk about "mutiara" shops in Ampenan or near the Mataram Mall you are very likely to visit. Stop by in one of those places to see if you like something. You should always ask if they have "discon". If you are patient even if with the fan it is hot and humid inside the store, you are likely to get a discount.

3. If this doesn't work out, you can always go back next year

Enjoy your trip.

Cheers Josi that's exaclty the sort of info I needed. I've lost your email (computer upgrade) and I'm not able to to send you a message directly as yet as I haven't posted enough. Can you please email me so I can continue to pick your brains! Only 108 sleeps now till our trip to Bali and Lombok! When are you next going?

Shonagh

We hope to be in Bali and Lombok from the second week of October 2010.

Josi

Funtrecker, unless you are after sea pearls ( so > US100 each individual pearl), you might be more interested in the freshwater pearls.

You don't need to go to stores for these, as I said above, freshwater pearls are fine to buy off the beach. You will find plenty of pearl sellers everywhere in the tourist areas. Buying freshwater pearls in stores you will pay a much higher price. The only advantage might be the quality of the clasp, or a necklace design that incorporates pearls and other gems.

A string of nice pearls on the beach will cost you maybe Rp 100,000 to Rp 150,000. Less for smaller pearls. You will see all sorts of colours - white, pinks, blues, silver, black, and all sorts of shapes. It can be fun putting together a few strings and/or braclets for very little cost.