Pearls; articles of natural or cultured pearls

HS code 711610 covers the trade of natural and cultured pearls, as well as articles made from these precious gemstones. The pearl industry is a significant contributor to the global economy, with pearls being highly valued for their unique beauty, rarity, and use in a wide range of luxury products. This industry plays an important role in the jewelry, fashion, and high-end consumer goods sectors, catering to the demand for exclusive and prestigious items.

The production of natural pearls involves the cultivation of pearl-producing mollusks, primarily oysters and mussels, in carefully managed aquatic environments. Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are produced through a process where a small bead or piece of shell is implanted into the mollusk, which then coats the nucleus with layers of nacre, forming the pearl. Both natural and cultured pearls undergo various processing steps, such as sorting, grading, and finishing, to ensure they meet the desired quality standards before being used in the manufacture of jewelry, accessories, and other luxury items.

The primary inputs for the pearl industry include the pearl-producing mollusks, which are typically sourced from specialized pearl farms or harvested from natural pearl beds. Additionally, the industry requires various tools and equipment for the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of pearls, such as specialized boats, diving gear, and processing machinery. Skilled labor, including divers, pearl farmers, and artisans, is also a crucial input for this industry.

The main outputs of the pearl industry are the pearls themselves, which are then used in the production of a wide range of luxury goods, including jewelry, watches, accessories, and decorative items. The pearls produced under HS code 711610 may be consumed by industries covered under other HS codes, such as 711311 Jewelry of silver, whether or not plated or clad with other precious metal, 711319 Jewelry of other precious metal, whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and 711420 Articles of jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal other than silver, among others.