Pete Vaidya, owner of AGI gathers his favorite finished pearl pieces, including holiday best sellers and exotic colored pearls.Prized for brilliant luster, shimmering color and classic allure, pearls are always surging in demand during the holiday selling season. Authentic Gem Imports, an authority in loose pearls and finished jewelry, has launched a new program to answer the call for turnkey sales, upcoming gift shopping and pearl education on the sales floor.
“Pearls never go out of fashion, and they’re a versatile material,” said Matthew Stevens, AGI’s Regional Sales Representative. “You can make pearls classy, contemporary, and easily make your jewelry large and impressive. Jewelry customers in the southern states love pearls because they fit the fashion aesthetic of big looks, romantic colors and vintage heirlooms.”
AGI’s Pearl Program is a packaged offering for any jewelry store wanting to prepare themselves for the holiday sales season. “Stores can purchase a package of four freshwater pearl strands and matching studs at a very attractive price point,” Stevens said. “These calibrated sets are offered in 5mm, 6mm, 7mm and 8mm, our most popular size requests, and are an excellent sales floor tool to educate jewelry store customers and associates. This sweet spot of selections helps any entry-level to mid-level pearl shopper understand the differences in sizes and pricing.”
AGI says that classic pearl strands and studs should always have a physical presence in the showroom. “We sell them by the dozens during the holidays because they’re universally flattering and are a crowd pleaser,” Stevens said.
Matt Stevens of AGI shows off a selection of Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea and freshwater pearl jewelry.In addition to pearl strands and finished pieces, AGI’s website features a searchable database of hundreds of loose pearls. Colors range from pure, silvery white, to Tahitian black, and shades of cream, blush, lavender and gold. With Keshi, baroque, teardrop, heart and half shaped pieces, the pearl search boasts infinite design options for customers seeking classic to exotic, offbeat materials. “You can filter to find the exact size, origin, color and shape of the pearl for any project,” Stevens says.
Pearls have played a large part of AGI’s 40 year company history. The team remembers when colored pearls like brown and black Tahitian soared into demand over twenty years ago, putting AGI on the map as a pearl house for jewelry stores wanting to expand their exotic pearl offerings. Every year, the team at AGI makes several trips traveling directly to pearl farms in China and Japan, where they acquire their extensive collection of South Sea, Tahitian, Akoya and freshwater pearls.
“We have decades-long relationships with our sources, growing together in our understanding of the cultivation,” says Pete Vaidya, owner of AGI. “Being in control of the source, quality and price point of our materials has made us a turnkey pearl partner for dozens of jewelry stores. Their associates call us when they want to understand luster, nacre, and how to explain these terms to their customers.”
Going into fourth quarter, the newest pearl pieces in AGI’s finished jewelry line have been constantly turning volume for fall sales. “We’re seeing a lot of traction with dainty pieces such as our solitaire pearl necklace and east-west pearl necklace,” Vaidya says. “The beautiful white canvas of a pearl is perfect to pair with color stones, and our new pearl rings and earrings include gradients of colored sapphires.”
He says most stores don’t realize the power of having pearls present in their line, because the material is often misunderstood. “Pearls can last for generations as long as the jewelry store educates about proper care. Keep cosmetic sprays away, such as perfume and hair spray.”
To learn more about AGI’s Pearl Program, please contact the sales team at sales@shopagi.com. AGI also offers database searching on their website for over 7,000 gemstones, 2,000 loose diamonds, calibrated melee diamonds, diamond essentials (bracelets and studs), and loose pearls. Their offering of finished gemstone jewelry includes one-of-a-kind pieces, multi-carat cocktail rings and ornately detailed statement pieces. Their custom jewelry service provides free CAD design, quick price quotes and turn-around on completed pieces. Check out the Recent Custom Examples gallery to view a showcase of gemstone jewelry creations.
For more information, visit AGI’s website at www.shopagi.com, e-mail Pete Vaidya at sales@shopagi.com or call 800-527-7617.
