WE WILL EXHIBIT IN CONJUNCTION WITH PACIFIC PEARLS IN THE WHOLESALE TRADE ROOM OF THE
SAN MATEO CALIFORNIA INTERGEM SHOW
(at the san mateo county fair grounds)
SEPTEMBER 9-11 2011
Friday 12-6
Saturday 10-6
Sunday 11-5
AND
AT THE SANTA MONICA INTERGEM SHOW
(at the santa monica civic center)
SEPTEMBER 23-25 2011
Friday 12-6
Saturday 10-6
Sunday 11-5
THANK YOU JEREMY!
This past weekend I spent in a mansion atop Mount Olympus overlooking Los Angeles for as far as the eye could see in any direction. It was truly spectacular. Complete with a glowing blue pool and an opportunity to reawaken my tennis skills (we kept score not in points.. but by counting the number of balls hit over the fence). The house was filled with pearl enthusiasts that have met through Pearl Guide over the last several years. Pearl Guide is an on line forum where people all around the world gather daily to update and discuss all matters pearl related, from new market discoveries.. to questions from novices.. to photos of fabulous creations.. it is the largest and most informative site about pearls in the world. The site is the brain child of Jeremy Shepherd (owner of Pearl Paradise) and moderated by the venerable Caitlin. Pearl Guide has fostered such a sense of community that some of it’s most avid members have created a tradition of meeting once a year, as a sort of pearl family reunion. These meetings are generously coordinated and hosted by Jeremy Shepherd and his staff at Pearl Paradise. This year’s Pearl Ruckus will be hard to top! For the opportunity to be included in this group of pearls.. I am eternally thankful. What a blessing to spend time with such a group of people, and in such a remarkable setting.
We began arriving on Friday afternoon, and each of us found a space in one of the ten or so rooms. I found my spot in the top top little turret room which was decorated like a Moroccan lounge with windows on all sides , tonnes of pillows and easy access to the roof through a midget size door. Friday evening the dinner was delicious! We lounged around like the royal family, slowly arriving from all the corners we had traveled from.
Saturday morning I enjoyed outside, the sound of the fountain, and delighted that there were baby bunnies in the garden. We all gathered for a series of presentations. The first from Josh Humbert of Kamoka Pearls. Josh showed us some of his incredible photos and talked alot about how his family figured out new ways to encourage ecologically sound farming practices throughout the atolls of French Polynesia. His presentation really captured what being at the farm on Ahe is like, for instance : how playing with the eyes of the fish you just caught is actually really funny
.. and also reminding us all just how many people work so hard to bring just one pearl to the market.. how there is pride and love for all aspects of their pearl farm.. and just how rare that is these days. 
Next up was Douglas McLaurin partner in Mexico’s only Pearl farm in the Sea of Cortez at Guaymas. Douglas is not only a biologist but a historian as well. He’s just a pretty brilliant and hilarious person all around.
He taught me a lot about the history of Mexico and the effects that politics and war can have on nature. HOW THE ENVIRONMENT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE BORDERS! Perlas del Mar De Cortez is a small farm, bringing only the finest pearls to market. This strand of near round pearls and keshi was a lovely example
Michael Rivers (AKA: Mikeyy on Pearl Guide) is the owner of The Pearler.com and also the supplier of nuclei to many of the worlds largest pearl farms. He shared amazing examples of some huge shells 
and also some great examples of how nuclei are produced and what makes them higher quality choices for pearl producers. 
Mikeyy is a easy going guy with great tales of adventure, having started shell digging at the age of 13 to being an international professional scuba diver.. he has seen it all! He was really great about the trail of coffee grounds that I accidentally sprinkled through his room!
At some point during the seminars we took a break and out came a pearl tiara we have been working on here at Kojima : for a contest on Pearl Guide. I promised the winner a bag full of pearly treasures.. I never expected that tiaras could make both men and women.. THIS HAPPY!
And finally lunch was served! After yet another beautiful meal I took a swim and all the ladies gathered in the dining room for a pearl stringing demonstration from Hisano the jewelry designer at Pearl Paradise. She was incredibly patient, and really did an amazing job of teaching the group some wonderful time saving secret techniques. It was a joy to watch everyone learning new tricks.
That afternoon, there was more pearl show and tell going on.. Josh set up shop next to the pool, and the ladies took notice! 
"Pattye" and Blaire Beavers, Pearls EXTRAOIRDINAIRE!
Saturday night was an elegant affair, the house swelled with more guests and everyone delighted in fine food and drink, candles were lit and the pearls were plenty.. I was too busy having fun to take any photos.. but I remember many flashes! I hope I will get to see some of those photos!
Some time on Sunday morning.. someone poured molasses into the air.. and the house full of pearls.. woke up a little less than perky. We all piled into cars and made it down to Pearl Paradise for some time sorting through their vault and more talk of pearls..
IT WAS A VERY FULL WEEKEND.. and ONE I AM VERY GLAD I DID NOT MISS! Thank you Jeremy, thank you ladies! Everyone there this past weekend is an inspiration to me!
JUST IN! THESE HAND MADE LEATHER AND PEARL CUFF BRACELETS IN ADJUSTABLE SIZES
ARE RIPE FOR SUMMER WEAR! I KNOW YOU HAVE ALL LONGED FOR THE LEATHER
BRACELETS OF YESTER YEAR>>> SO I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THESE FRESH KOJIMA
DESIGNS! PLEASE SEE THE BRACELET SECTION OF THE JEWELRY STORE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS> HAPPY SUNSHINE TO YOU ALL. LOVE, SARAH
These lovely brooches are made by hand in Hong Kong, by one of the sweetest women I have ever met there….. The natural shapes of the Chinese fresh water stick pearls radiate with lovely soft colors and high shine to add elegance to any summer outfit, coat, hat, or shawl. Ranging in size from from two to three inches across. The back of these pins are made of very simple base metal findings which helps to keep them affordable. The last couple of times I brought these home from Hong Kong they literally soldout in minutes. I will most likely add these to the KOJIMAPEARL etsy site… http://www.etsy.com/shop/kojimapearl as this website does not have a category for brooches and pins. (doh!)
THESE BROOCHES WILL RETAIL FOR $55…. Please feel free to email me directly, if you are interested in purchasing one or some.
Enjoy!
FRESH IN! These adjustable size leather bracelets glow with hand made clusters of lusterous Chinese fresh water pearls. Each bracelet is unique… MIX and MATCH for $55 each. ENJOY!
Greetings from the 15th floor with a spectacular view
of Kowloon Harbor. I am very happy to be writing once again from my home away from home here in Tsim Sha Tsui. This visit is not yet half way over, and I am taking this public holiday to upload some of our latest purchases and most attractive new finds… just before having high tea at the Peninsula Hotel across the street.
First off… a few days ago we dove into the back of the “forgotten” safe 
of vintage pearls.. and started unwrapping some treasures. I am most excited about the wraps full of VINTAGE Lake Biwa pearl strands. These pearls were once bought and sold by Pacific Pearls both in Tokyo and Hong Kong with regularity, evenutally with the demise of production in Japan’s Lake Biwa and the growing success of the trade in Chinese fresh water pearls, these rare pearls found themselves on the back shelves of the pearl shop. I set to stringing up some of this 40 year old collection right away! 
Slowly but surely I will be sharing these as finished necklaces and strands! I love pearls with a story.. and these pearls are nothing with out their provenance. It feels good to know exactly where they come from.. and that after 40 years.. the colors and luster are still elegant and bright!
As always I have been busy here. Making new friends… discovering the Mona Lisa in a wall of toast, shopping for pearls, riding the ferry, visiting with friends and being silly, while proving the theories of Einstein over and over again!
My most favorite purchases thus far have been:
32" endless ropes of natural color Tahitian banded pearls in silver and mixed colors
16" strand of massive baroque Chinese fresh water pearls in natural deep lavender and golden tones
13- 15mm natural color Chinese fresh water deep pondslime near round graduated strand
STAY TUNED… THERE IS STILL A WEEK OF PEARL SHOPPING TO GO… and loads more to be uploaded to the website. I hope you all enjoyed a long and wonderful weekend!
Just in.. these lovely simple little necklaces. Hand made in the USA of woven nylon thread .. delicately framing a special pearl. Available in Tahitian black pearls, Japan Kasumi, and Chinese fresh water drops. Choose from 16″ or 18″ .. pearl sizes range from 13-20mm and the comfortable chords are finished with sterling silver hook clasps. A new elegant twist on Little Island Jewelry! Please see the “Necklaces” page of the Jewelry Store for more details on each unique piece! ENJOY!
AND NOW FOR
This last year was one of the largest harvests in many years.. and full of rich deep colors, these pearls are a delight to photograph, and play with. As many of you know (and some of you may not).. These pearls come from the only pearl producing lake in Japan, Lake Kasumi ga Ura (which translates to “the body of water beyond the mist”. There are ONLY 3 farmers working tirelessly to seed, maintain and harvest this production. That is 3.. just 3 people!!! not thousands, just 3 people. These pearls represent a labor of love.. and dedication deeper than greed. The beauty of this shows in the pearls. These pearls are not mass produced..they are the opposite of that!
OUR TIME AT THE TUCSON GEM AND MINERAL SHOW FEBRUARY 2011
I am pleased to announce that over 3 kilos of fresh Japan Kasumi pearls have arrived to the studio today! One of the largest harvests in many years.. and full of rich deep colors, these pearls are a delight to photograph, and play with. As many of you know (and some of you may not).. These pearls come from the only pearl producing lake in Japan, Lake Kasumi ga Ura (which translates to “the body of water beyond the mist”. There are ONLY 3 farmers working tirelessly to seed, maintain and harvest this production. That is 3.. just 3 people… not thousands, just 3 people. These pearls represent a labor of love.. and dedication deeper than greed. The beauty of this shows in the pearls. These pearls are not mass produced..they are the opposite of that!
From first glance.. I can say that this year there is a larger percentage of deep color round pearls.. which is something not easily found in the past. For many years the coveted deep purple Japan Kasumi pearls were always baroque.. so to open the cloth bags and find even 20 pieces of deep purple round pearls.. I was overjoyed with these! There are of course hundreds of the baroque pearls with deeply rippled surfaces in various colors. So I expect to start my annual sorting and drilling ritual tomorrow.. I have my work cut out for me. Please stay tuned for the strands from this latest harvest which I will share when they are ready.
We are also very very excited to be hosting 2 of the farmers from Lake Kasumi ga Ura during the upcoming Tucson show. We will be exhibiting at the GJX booth #107 (February 1st-6th 2011). If you plan to attend the show, please stop by and meet these two masters of their craft in person. We are honored to be hosting them and the latest harvest of their beautiful unique pearls! (**they love chocolate and fresh fruit!**)
*As education is a big part of how we have built our business, I would like to mention that we have sold Japan Kasumi pearls (imported directly from the farm) for more than 15 years. We also sell Chinese fresh water pearls.. and some of them look very similar to Japan Kasumi pearls with their rippled surfaces and colors. Chinese fresh water pearls are much less expensive than Japan Kasumi pearls because of the quantity of production, and the cost of labor. We take provenance very seriously. Please be aware that it is now very common for people to sell Chinese pearls as “Kasumi” or as they have done for years as “Kasumi-Ga”. We have always taken care to offer pearls in every price range.. and are pleased that there are now very similar looking pearls from China at affordable prices.. so that women on any budget can enjoy the same look. However if what you are looking for is truly a pearl from Japan’s Lake Kasumi ga Ura.. then make sure to educate yourself, buy from a reputable dealer.. and feel free to ask us if you have any questions.
CELEBRATING OUR 16TH YEAR AT THE TUCSON GEM AND MINERAL SHOW
GJX BOOTH #107
FEBRUARY 1st – FEBRUARY 6th
2011
Hours: Tuesday 1st thru Saturday 5th – 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday 6th – 10:00am to 4:00pm*
Please see the GJX website for a list of buyer registration requirements.
http://www.gjxusa.com/gjxbuyer.html
*No buyers admitted after 3:00pm on closing day, Sunday 6th.
