Pearl Decoded is your honest, no-nonsense guide to buying freshwater pearls from China. We are a small, independent team of pearl enthusiasts based in China, with direct access to the world’s largest freshwater pearl market in Zhuji (诸暨) — the source of more than 70% of the world’s freshwater pearls. Our mission is simple: help you skip the jewelry-store markup and buy beautiful, genuine pearls with real confidence.
Why we started
Most pearl buying advice online is written by people who have never unpacked a $19 strand or stood inside a Zhuji trading hall. We built Pearl Decoded to close that gap. Because we are physically close to the supply chain, we can compare what a necklace actually costs at the source versus what it sells for at retail — and explain the difference in plain English, instead of vague “AAA grade” marketing language.
How we test and review
Every guide we publish follows the same method:
- We source pearls and jewelry directly from Zhuji wholesalers and verified online sellers, not from a single sponsored brand.
- We grade each piece on the four factors that actually matter: luster, surface, shape, and how it looks in normal daylight rather than studio lighting.
- Where it makes sense, we wear and live with the pieces for real-world testing before we recommend them.
- We tell you what is worth buying and, just as importantly, what is not.
Our editorial standards
We do not accept payment to rank a product, and we never disguise a sponsored pick as an independent recommendation. When we link to a retailer, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you (see our Affiliate Disclosure) — but that never influences what we recommend. Our only incentive is helping you avoid overpriced or mislabeled pearls.
Get in touch
Questions, correction requests, or topic suggestions are always welcome. Email us anytime at hello@pearldecoded.com — we typically reply within 24–48 hours.