Chapter 0398 The huge profits of the pearl mining industry
"Do you know the pearl mining industry here?" Tomorrow is the negotiation. Li Zitao went to the wharf to see the development of the pearl mining industry here.
"I don't know much, maybe you can ask them." The simple port was moored with wooden fishing boats, and frogmen preparing to go into the water.
He was wrapped around his waist with yellow underwear covered with ripped holes, his body was white and black, and some people had red spots on their bodies, and large areas of skin fell off, revealing the red meat inside.
After long-term erosion of sea water, it is exposed to the sun under the scorching sun, peeling and healing, soaking and peeling, and then healing.
Because the skin of the old frogman forms calluses in this way, it looks like some kind of "solid shell". Occasionally, after falling off for too long in the sea, it will appear white skin below, which is why they look white and black.
For the people here, the sea is the mother who gives them life, because there are too many families who have to rely on the products salvaged in the sea to live.
It is not uncommon for a family of more than a dozen, and even a small tribe, all of them are frogmen. After all, rich marine life is also one of their food rations.
Of course, the favorite thing these countries like to eat is roast camels, but as the most important means of transportation.
Apart from the emirs (the chief) who controls the country, few tribes are willing to kill them to eat, unless they die of exhaustion or illness.
"Friend, do you have time to chat?" Li Zitao asked an old man on the boat.
"If you want to go out to sea, I have a lot of time." The old man responded immediately.
It seems that it is impossible to chat for free. Lu Qiang and Shen Dong wait on the shore, and Li Zitao took the monk onto the boat.
"Is the yield of pearls high here?" Leaving the shore, Li Zitao took out a cigar from the sealed cigarette clip and handed it to the other party.
"Thank you." The old man took the cigar and took out a waterproof leather bag from under the seat, and carefully wrapped the cigar, for fear that it would get damp.
Such a cigar can be exchanged for the food needed for a week in a ‘second-hand store’, and it is worth more than his life.
"Doha is the most concentrated place for oyster breeding in the Persian Gulf. Even Dalma Island and Manama are not as many as here. People can always find surprises here."
Dalma Island is the pearl harvesting site in Abu Dhabi, Manama is the capital of Bahrain. With Doha, these three places are the pearl harvesting cores with the most oyster breeding.
Frog people often find surprises in these places. Last week, a frogman found a black pearl, which was eventually bought by British merchants for 50 pounds.
"It's so big." The old man used his thumb and index finger to stretch out a circle, about 7mm, and said with envy.
"50 pounds?" Li Zitao was speechless. This was really profitable.
The 8mm top-quality black pearl is priced at £50. When this pearl arrived at a boutique in the UK, Li Zitao dared to bet that its price would not be lower than £10,000.
8mm among natural pearls is considered to be the top. Except for Nanyang beads, which are naturally 'big', their diameter is generally 8-15mm.
The largest diameter found at present is the 18mm round black pearl, which is the collection of a duchess and someone once offered it $700,000.
1mm pearls are sold by pounds, 2mm pearls are 20 cents per 2mm pearls, and 3mm pearls are truly valuable. According to the color and quality of the beads, the price is about 1 US dollars.
4mm doubles, 5mm doubles again, about 4 US dollars, 6mm price can reach 10 US dollars, 7mm about 20 US dollars, 8mm is rare.
For example, the black pearl sold for 50 pounds has only been released in five or six years.
After walking around the river bank, countless frogmen rose and fell in the water. The most powerful middle-aged frogman was able to hold his breath under the water for 8 minutes.
This is a very dangerous approach. If people find out that he has not come up in 8 minutes, it will be too late to rescue him.
So every time he goes into the water, he takes great risks, but he always gets the most.
Having said that, which frogman here is not risking his life!
The occasional undercurrents underwater cause them to die if they are not careful. The number of people who die from collecting beads every year is more than 500. Every family has experienced the same sadness and has to continue to bear it.
After returning to the shore, he gave the old man $5. After the other party kept bowing and thanking him, he quickly walked towards the town with a waterproof leather wrapped in a cigar.
"It's really a profitable industry." Those 1mm pearls can be sold for several dollars as long as they are just round and are worn into necklaces and made into simple matching.
Moreover, they are often used to embellish expensive accessories, crowns, clothes, etc., and their prices can increase dozens of times.
Not to mention other specifications, 7mm is acquired at a price of $20???
A pearl necklace made of platinum starts at $500 in a boutique.
It is undeniable that brands inject new value into them and have different meanings.
But it cannot be denied its own value. The huge profits contained in it are based on dozens or even hundreds of times.
"Here I ask me who is doing the pearl purchase here and what is its origin!" Li Zitao planned to make a move inside.
Shaparily Dior uses pearls a lot. As the industry his wife cares most, proper care is what he should do.
By night, the monk had already found out.
There are two companies that acquire pearls here, both of which are jewelers from Bond Street, London, who have created rare pearl accessories for the royal family.
"Have you seen a suitable store?" Li Zitao didn't care about this.
How much advantage did George V take from him? Not to mention a few jewelers, even if he offended the Duke's business, His Highness the King had to take care of him.
"There are many options there." There are no more people on the commercial street except for 'second-hand shops' and pearl buyers, a few grocery stores and fur merchants.
"Ava, choose a suitable store after the meeting tomorrow. I need you to stay here for a few days and investigate the pearl market clearly. The monk will help you."
After explaining, Li Zitao, Ava, the monk, and Lilith, had a simple dinner in the only restaurant on the commercial street.
"Maybe we can build a bar here, and more and more foreigners will come here in the future."
After dinner, a few people who had no entertainment programs walked along the dirt road to the hotel.
"The business will definitely be very hot, but the emotions of the locals need to be taken care of." Lilith said in agreement, she was almost bored.
Chapter completed!