Category: Marketing

On Thursday, June 7th, the inaugural Pearl Summit took place at the Presidential Palace in Papeete, a landmark event organized by the Maison de la Perle and led by Gaetano Cavalieri.

This world-renowned consultant specializing in jewelry, gemstones, and pearls—who also serves as President of CIBJO (The World Jewellery Confederation)—gathered sixty key industry figures including Francky Tehamatai and Robert Wan to address the sector’s persistent crisis.

Cavalieri proposed a bold solution: establishing an international Tahitian pearl distribution company representing a consortium of local producers. Modeled after the successful Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma (founded in 1963 by 23 producers and now comprising 156 members), this initiative could eliminate Chinese and Japanese middlemen—potentially doubling Tahitian pearls’ market value for Polynesian producers.

The strategy promises to:

• Boost global brand recognition
• Increase producer profits
• Restore Tahitian pearls’ premium positioning

Faithful to its mission of promoting and commercially supporting Tahitian pearls, Maison de la Perle has launched a series of seminars designed to educate professionals on the nuances of this Polynesian gem and its specialized sales techniques.

These sessions primarily target players in the pearl sector and jewelry sellers, operating both in Polynesia and internationally. Since the beginning of the year, two seminars have already been held: the first in March, bringing together around ten professionals, and the second hosting seven trainees from the GSMA tourism program—future ambassadors of the destination and its treasures.

The stated goal is to deepen participants’ knowledge of Tahitian pearls, placing them in their historical and competitive context. With refined sales pitches and tailored techniques, sellers are better equipped to appeal to discerning clientele, enhancing the allure of Tahitian pearl jewelry.

Through personalized guidance and precise advice on pearl care and usage, newly trained professionals become true ambassadors of Polynesia’s pearl heritage.

With this initiative, Maison de la Perle aims to support retailers in their commercial efforts while strengthening the prestige and appeal of Tahitian pearls among professional buyers and end consumers worldwide.

In a move that reshapes the Pacific pearl trade, President Oscar Manutahi Temaru presided over the signing of a landmark deal between French Polynesia and Japan’s Tahiti Pearl Promotion Society (TPJ) – the powerhouse controlling 77% of Japan’s Tahitian pearl market since 1993.

The Players

• Polynesian Heavyweights: VP Antony Géros & Marine Minister Temauri Foster
• TPJ Delegation: President Kazuya Okuda + board members Andy Muller/Koji Isowa
• The Broker: Hinano Teanotoga, Director of Maison de la Perle

The Deal
✒️ 18M XPF (≈€150K) committed for 2012 promotions
🎯 Exclusive Focus: Reigniting Japan’s waning passion for Tahitian black pearls
🔍 Quality Pledge: Foster guarantees DRM’s X-ray thickness checks (≥0.8mm nacre)

Why Tokyo Matters

• 2011 Crisis: TPJ boycotted auctions after Citizen watch deal controversy
• Market Shock: Japan’s purchases plummeted 42% post-GIE Perles dissolution
• Redemption Arc: This pact ends 3 years of fractured relations

Behind Closed Doors

• Okuda demanded stricter size grading (12mm+ preference)
• Teanotoga secured “Made in Tahiti” branding rights
• Unspoken Win: TPJ gets first refusal on 20% of premium harvests

What’s Next

• September 2012: Tokyo’s Ginza district to host “Tahiti Pearl Week”
• New Campaign: “Real Pearls Have DNA” targeting Gen Z collectors

French Polynesia prepares to honor five decades of Tahitian pearl cultivation with “Poe Maohi” (The Soul of Tahiti’s Pearl), a landmark event blending cultural heritage, luxury commerce, and visionary innovation at the Sofitel Punaauia.

Event Pillars

💎 Cultural Immersion

• 18-meter historical timeline (1600s to present)
• VR experience: “From Lagoons to Luxury” – dive into pearl farming’s evolution
• Rare artifacts: First grafting tools from Hikueru Atoll (1961)

💎 Jewelry Extravaganza

• 30+ Polynesian designers unveiling exclusive collections
• Pop-up atelier: Watch artisans craft bespoke pieces live

💎 Pearl Olympics

• “Most Beautiful Pearl” competition judged on:
  • Luster (mirror-brightness standard)
  • Color (peacock greens to midnight silvers)
  • Surface perfection (10x magnification inspection)

💎 Gala Night (Dec 4)

• Charity auction benefiting atoll youth education
• Fashion show featuring pearls in Tahitian haute couture
• 50-year retrospective documentary premiere

Why This Matters

✅ Economic Boost – Projected 500M XPF (≈€4.2M) in direct sales
✅ Next-Gen Engagement – Student workshops on sustainable farming
✅ Global Positioning – Int’l buyers from Japan, EU & Middle East attending

“This isn’t just an anniversary—it’s a rebirth,” declares Maison de la Perle Director [Name]. “We’re reclaiming our narrative as the world’s pearl capital.”

Innovative Features

🔹 Live Pearl Farm – Grafting demos by master technicians
🔹 Blockchain Lounge – Trace your pearl’s journey from oyster to jewelry
🔹 Kids’ Treasure Hunt – Edu-tainment with pearl-themed puzzles

Key Figures

• 1961: Year of first successful Polynesian pearl graft
• 2024: 78% of farms now eco-certified
• 2030 Goal: 100% traceable supply chain

Minister Temauri Foster Meets with World Jewelry Confederation Leader to Establish Industry Benchmarks

In a pivotal move for Polynesia’s pearl sector, Marine Resources Minister Temauri Foster held high-level talks with Gaetano Cavalieri, President of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), during his private visit to French Polynesia. This meeting signals a major step toward securing international recognition for Tahitian pearls as the gold standard of cultured gems.

Why CIBJO Partnership Matters

🔹 UN-Recognized Authority: CIBJO sets global standards for gemstones through its Blue Books, the industry bible for diamonds, precious metals, and pearls.
🔹 Historical Ties: French Polynesia previously chaired CIBJO’s Pearl Commission through former Perles de Tahiti GIE leadership.
🔹 Market Influence: Controls 80% of global jewelry trade regulations, impacting pricing and authenticity certifications.

Key Initiatives Proposed

1️⃣ Tahitian Pearl Classification System

• Develop a geographically-specific grading standard (color, luster, nacre thickness)
• Combat counterfeit products flooding Asian markets

2️⃣ CIBJO Congress in Tahiti

• Showcase pearl farms to 500+ international jewelers and gemologists
• Position Polynesia as epicenter of pearl innovation

3️⃣ Global Professional Training

• CIBJO’s CSR network to host masterclasses on Tahitian pearl valuation

Minister Foster’s Vision

“This collaboration will cement our pearls as the champagne of the jewelry world—a product whose origin guarantees excellence.”

The Maison de la Perle aims to leverage CIBJO’s clout to:
✅ Boost export prices by 15-20% through certified premium positioning
✅ Streamline quality controls with AI-assisted nacre measurement
✅ Launch a “Tahitian Pearl Seal” for compliant international sellers

Sector-Wide Implications

• Farmers: Higher margins through direct access to CIBJO’s 45-country network
• Jewelers: Assured authenticity for high-end clients
• Polynesia: Strengthened “Blue Economy” with pearls as ecological ambassadors

The Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (CESC) hosts a groundbreaking educational exhibition celebrating Tahitian pearls, organized by pearl farmers’ unions. This free public event unveils the gem’s 500-million-year natural history and its 50-year cultivated legacy as French Polynesia’s top export.

Exhibition Highlights

🔹 Journey Through Time

• Interactive displays tracing nacre’s evolution from prehistoric mollusks to modern luxury
• Rare archival footage of first pearl grafts (1961) at Hikueru Atoll

🔹 Science Meets Art

• Live demonstrations of pearl grading by master sorters
• “Pearl Lab” showing X-ray nacre thickness tests (minimum 0.8mm standard)

🔹 Economic Crossroads

• Data dashboards tracking pearl price fluctuations
• Success stories from youth-led pearl startups

A 50th-anniversary celebration blending art, heritage, and luxury commerce.

Paris, May 15-June 5 – The Maison de la Perle unveils an unprecedented open-air exhibition at Place Vendôme, marking five decades since Jean-Marie Domard’s pioneering 1961 pearl grafts at Hikueru atoll. The installation features:

The Jewel of the Exhibition

💎 A monumental pearl necklace with 3-meter diameter “pearls”
📸 Each displaying award-winning photography by Thierry Bouët
🌐 Curated to trace the pearl’s journey from Polynesian lagoons to global luxury

Strategic Luxury Partnerships

• Cartier and Mauboussin creating dedicated Tahitian pearl window displays
• May 18 gala inauguration with French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand
• 22 million XPF investment (≈€184,000) in cultural diplomacy

Controversy & Criticism

While officials hail the event as a marketing breakthrough:
⚠️ Local pearl farmers question the ROI of the 22M XPF expenditure
⚠️ Debates continue about prioritizing direct industry support vs. brand visibility

“This isn’t just an exhibition—it’s a statement that Tahitian pearls belong in the luxury pantheon,” asserts Ingrid Izquierdo, Director of Maison de la Perle.

Global Roadshow Ahead

Following Paris, the exhibition may tour:
🗼 Tokyo (Fall 2024)
🎭 Monaco (2025)
🗽 New York (2025)

For Visitors: Free access daily | Night illuminations after 8PM
Industry Note: Parallel business forums will connect Polynesian producers with international buyers

Marine Resources Minister Temauri Foster recently initiated strategic discussions with executives from Citizen Watch Company, including Mr. Yutaka Kitamura, Group Director, and Mr. Masayuki Ito, Head of the Pearl Division. The objective: to establish an ambitious partnership revitalizing the promotion of Tahitian cultured pearls in the Japanese market.

As a globally renowned leader in watchmaking and jewelry, with 20,000 retail outlets worldwide, Citizen has demonstrated strong interest in Tahiti’s black pearls. In the partnership’s initial phase, 130 high-performing retail locations have been carefully selected to serve as premium showcases for this Polynesian gem among Japan’s luxury clientele.

This collaboration aligns with the momentum created by Maison de la Perle, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first successful pearl grafting in Tahiti. The Citizen partnership marks a new milestone in this international campaign to solidify Tahitian pearls’ position in the world’s most prestigious export markets.

“From Sea to Showcase”: A Tribute to Tahitian Pearl Excellence

The iconic Place Vendôme—epicenter of global haute joaillerie—will transform into an open-air gallery celebrating the 50th anniversary of Polynesian pearl cultivation. Eighteen monumental photographs by acclaimed artist Thierry Bouët will trace the extraordinary journey of Tahitian pearls, from their birth in Polynesia’s pristine lagoons to the world’s most exclusive jewelry collections.

A Monumental Jewelry Fantasy

• 20 giant pearl sculptures (3m diameter) forming a breathtaking “necklace” installation
• Immersive scenography by designer Anna Mari, blending contemporary art with jewelry heritage
• Stunning visuals capturing the pearls’ iridescent colors, organic textures, and aquatic mystique

Strategic Cultural Diplomacy

Organized by Maison de la Perle with support from Paris’ 1st Arrondissement, this exhibition:
✔ Commemorates France’s Overseas Territories Year
✔ Reinforces Tahitian pearls’ status as natural luxury icons
✔ Kicks off a global tour (Tokyo, Milan, Monaco) to captivate international markets

“This is more than an exhibition—it’s a declaration of love to Polynesia’s black gold,” declares Ingrid Izquierdo, Director of Maison de la Perle. “We’re bringing the soul of our lagoons to the heart of Parisian elegance.”

Visitor Experience

📍 Place Vendôme, Paris 1er
📅 Free access May 15 – June 2
🕒 Day & night displays (illuminated after dark)
💎 Complementary VR experience simulating pearl diving in French Polynesia

“When these giant pearls ‘adorn’ Place Vendôme, they’ll remind the world that true luxury begins with nature’s perfection,” adds Thierry Bouët.