For the last week I have been in Hong Kong, a place dear to my heart. It took me many years to embrace this place, with all it’s noise and commotion, pollution, and overwhelming fascination with all things material. My refuge is often the roof top, where the view of the skyline and Victoria Peak from the 17th floor  is humbling.

My days start early here, and I always enjoy a bowl of fresh fruit. THANK YOU ASIA FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL FRUITS!Then I spend my days, like most people in Hong Kong stuck in air conditioned offices with neon lights. Luckily I get to sort pearls for hours.

About 10 years ago, I followed Fuji’s father Rudolf Voll as he literally ran after a cart load of uncovered raw meat, taking photos and all the while exclaiming how it was destined to be delivered to a “fine” restaurant  (he was in his late 80’s at the time… and he was indeed correct about that cartload). SO this is in honor of Rudolf… who never trusted restaurant food!

After work, I shop for clothes, and on the weekends I go and relax with friends. This last weekend we had a barbecue at my friends house in Mui Wo. It is a relaxing ferry ride and beautiful to watch the busy city slip away into the horizon, only to be replaced with rare natural environs.

Shredder, he is not a vegetarian, but he is very helpful at choosing vegetables!~ He is a local celebrity in the little village of  Mui Wo… and enjoys the rock star status of being the only dog allowed in Park n Shop.

Here is a photo of Shredders “owner”, wearing a carved pearl. He of course asked to remain anonymous for fear of added groupies.

What I love most about Hong Kong is it’s diversity. People from all over the world have come here to live and do business. There is a unique mix of ancient wisdom and modern technology. In Hong Kong you can ride an elevator to the top of a luxurious high rise and see work men out the window effortlessly balancing on bamboo scaffolds. There is a constant buzz, there is a deep hum. There is always more than enough to do, and there are always more pearls than one can carry home!

Gem of the Ocean

“Carved Tahitian pearls start at $100; Kojima Company, Oakland, Calif.; 510-387-1188; kojimapearl.com

French Polynesian carvers are taking aim at larger and higher-quality pearls. In the past, most work was done on low-grade cultured pearls, where artful carving could significantly improve a blemished bead. But new carved pearls have very thick nacre with carving to 1 mm in depth and feature elegant tribal patterns.

Sarah Canizzaro, owner of the Kojima Company in Oakland, Calif., says with these pearls, buyers are getting more than a gem from the sea. “They’re getting a pearl, not just from Polynesian waters, but with a Polynesian motif that tells a story from the rich and varied culture of the islands.” Carved pearls from Kojima are available in rounds from 12 mm to 15 mm, with some drops and baroques as long as 17 mm. Prices start at $100. —Blaire Beavers”

Thank you to Blaire Beavers who took note of these precious pearls and worked tirelessly to make sure the industry’s leading publication did the same. Blaire truly loves pearls and has an eye for gems as well. She has written countless articles and is a frequent contributor to

Pearl-Guide.com

under the handle “GEM GEEK”.

Blaire can be found giving lectures about pearls nation wide and with her ear to the water … can always be a trusted source for the latest news in the pearl industry. She is also an AWESOME photographer!