A vendor will likely pull out "hanks"—long bundles of unstrung pearls—in the size range you request. You might see a variety of types:
Your journey typically begins at a legendary "Pearl Capital" like or a multi-story hub such as Hongqiao Market in Beijing. In Beijing, the ground floors are often packed with smaller stalls, while the top floor houses more serious, established sellers. The air is thick with the scent of saltwater and the click-clack of thousands of loose gems being sorted by size and luster. The Selection Ritual buying pearls in china
: Known for their impressive size and "metallic" colors like purple and gold. The Authenticity Test A vendor will likely pull out "hanks"—long bundles
: China's specialty, these are cultured in lakes and offer incredible value. buying pearls in china