Can't remember if this article from Dec 2023 has been posted...

Can't remember if this article from Dec 2023 has been posted before, but my takeaways are as follows:
1. More celebrities wearing pearls in China is helping to drive demand.
2. E-commerce and other online initiatives such as livestreaming have played a crucial role in driving pearl industry growth. “The rapid development of e-commerce on social media and livestreaming platforms during the pandemic has brought about immense business opportunities to the pearl industry”.
3. Given the introduction of more youthful designs, pearl jewellery is being seen as an affordable luxury, increasing the appeal among young women.
4. There is a growing demand for pearls in irregular shapes and unique colours, which are mainly eye-catching to buyers opting for a more personalised style (good news for Atlas in helping to offload imperfect inventory).
5. China has a growing interest in golden South Sea pearls (which is Atlas' specialty).
6. Chinese customers are willing to pay a premium for quality pearls.
7. White South Sea pearls (as well as Akoya and freshwater pearls) have seen the biggest price increases of of late.
8. "Since pearls are a cultivable resource, supply could normalise in two to three years, and only then can the market regulate prices to more reasonable levels."
9. Freshwater pearl production in China has largely been reduced due to the government implementing environmental policies to restore clean waters, leading to higher production costs. I understand from speaking to some people in the pearl industry that this is one of the leading drivers of pearl price growth.

In short, various sources seem to suggest that pearl prices could remain elevated for 2-3 years. Of course this can be completely wrong, but if this is the case, and Atlas is able to keep up and possibly improve on these sales results (remember: quality of Atlas' harvest is slightly improving), then this will be a tremendous result for the company.