This business is definitely a family enterprise. We are mother (Gloria), daughter (Valerie) and daughter/sister-in-law (Shelley). We live in Florida and in Ontario and provide service to our clients in both the US and Canada from the two locations.
Our purpose is to bring you quality pearl jewelry--in either heirloom or fashionable or unusual pearl pieces, at the best possible prices.
Why do we do it? A few years ago Valerie lived in Korea, and travelled often to Beijing. There she fell in love with pearls—all pearls—freshwater, saltwater, classic pearls and most importantly, fashion pearls. She amassed a collection of lovely pearl necklaces and sets, and thought that she could bring the delight she felt in her pearl jewelry to a wider North American audience. She phoned her mother, Gloria, and said, “Do you want to go into business?” Gloria, who had always loved classic pearls, but was unfamiliar with fashion pearls, responded, “Count me in!” So was born The Pearllery.
How do we do it? We get our pearls from Beijing, from several manufacturers in The Pearl Market, an unbelievable rabbit-warren of a building where all kinds and types and costs of pearls are offered from tiny booths and large impressive jewelry shops. (There are many other things in the Pearl Market too—knock-off purses and clothes and luggage and watches and electronics and all manner of luxury consumer goods—if you are ever in Beijing, don’t miss it!)
Some of our pearl jewelry is the design of the supplier; others are our own designs made especially for us. Some you may find elsewhere, other pieces are exclusive. Jewelry has a huge mark-up as it proceeds from the pearl farms to the manufacturer to the various wholesalers and importers and finally to your local jewelry story. By dealing directly with manufacturers, doing the importing ourselves, and because we have no "bricks and mortar" store, The Pearllery eliminates most of the middlemen and is able to bring you quality pearl jewelry at a cost much less than you would pay in a traditional jewelry store.
