Zhuji Pearls

Zhuji Pearls

　　　　Alternative Names: Zhenzhu (pearl), Bangzhu (shell pearl)

　　Product Name: Pearl

　　Place of Origin: Zhuji

　　Functions: Pearls have three main uses. First, for medicinal purposes—it is a precious traditional medicine, cool in nature and salty in taste, non-toxic, entering the heart and liver meridians. It can calm the mind, nourish yin, extinguish wind, clear heat, resolve phlegm, remove eye opacity, improve vision, detoxify, and promote tissue regeneration. It is used clinically to treat a variety of ailments. Second, as decorative items—pearls can be made into various types of jewelry, hat tassels, curtains, and more, all exquisitely beautiful. The third use is for skin care and beauty. Li Shizhen wrote in *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Applying pearls to the face makes the skin moist and enhances one’s complexion.”

　　Product Overview: Pearls have three main uses. First, for medicinal purposes—it is a precious traditional medicine, cool in nature and salty in taste, non-toxic, entering the heart and liver meridians. It can calm the mind, nourish yin, extinguish wind, clear heat, resolve phlegm, remove eye opacity, improve vision, detoxify, and promote tissue regeneration. It is used clinically to treat a variety of ailments. Second, as decorative items—pearls can be made into various types of jewelry, hat tassels, curtains, and more, all exquisitely beautiful. The third use is for skin care and beauty. Li Shizhen wrote in *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Applying pearls to the face makes the skin moist and enhances one’s complexion.” The *Chinese Medical Encyclopedia* also states that pearls can “calm the mind, improve vision, and make the skin moist and radiant when applied to the face.” In Zhuji, the pearl industry has further developed health supplements and medicinal cuisines from pearls, including: pearl powder, instant pearl powder, pearl capsules, whole-soft-shell-turtle pearl pills, pearl lozenges, pearl whitening facial cleanser, ganoderma capsules, pearl tea, instant pearl biological calcium, ZhenSilin anti-wrinkle beauty cream, a series of pearl skincare products, pearl food additives, pearl toothpaste, pearl eight-treasure candy, and more. With their unique functions and value, pearls are making increasing contributions to humanity. Zhuji currently has 80,000 mu (approximately 5,333 hectares) of pearl farming area (including areas developed outside the city and province), including 6,000 mu of pearl farming demonstration bases and 2,000 mu of seed mussel breeding demonstration bases. Annual pearl production reaches 600 tons, focusing on high-quality, premium pearls, novelty-shaped pearls, nucleated pearls, and night pearls. There are currently 350 pearl enterprises, including pearl technology service centers and 4 pearl research institutes. Together they process 350 tons of pearls annually, generating an output value of 2 billion yuan. A specialized pearl product processing industrial park is under construction, covering a total area of 350 mu (approximately 23.3 hectares) with a total investment of 198 million yuan. Listed as a key provincial construction project, it is planned to process 400 tons of pearls, 20 million pearl jewelry pieces, 1.5 million pearl craft items, 80 tons of pearl powder capsules, and 500,000 bottles of pearl cosmetic and health products annually after completion. This will achieve sales revenue of 1.75 billion yuan and generate profits and taxes of 250 million yuan. The pearl industry is progressing further toward serialization, specialization, and industrialization. The Zhuji Pearl Market was established in June 1985. After four relocations and expansions, it has developed into a large-scale, well-equipped comprehensive trading market specializing in pearls, pearl jewelry, and pearl crafts. The market currently covers an area of 11,391 square meters, with a building area of 8,500 square meters, 921 stalls, 79 storefronts, and offers nearly 200 types of pearl products. Its transaction volume reached 910 million yuan in 1998. The market has been rated as a “Civilized Market” twice, honored as a “Three-Star Civilized and Standardized Market” by the Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce in 1997, and designated as a key tourism product market in Zhejiang Province in 1998. In 1998, the first China Pearl Festival was successfully held here, greatly enhancing the market's visibility. **Product History:** The history of pearl cultivation can be traced back over two thousand years to the Spring and Autumn Period. Zhuji was once the ancient capital of the Yue Kingdom, and the legendary beauty Xi Shi was born by the river. Historical records note that “Xi Shi’s mother once washed silk by the rocks, and the shimmering pearls reflected on her body, leading to her conception.” In the past, pearls were mostly formed naturally, but large-scale development through artificial cultivation truly began after the reform and opening up. Starting in the 1970s, pearl farming in Zhuji expanded from being mainly collective-run to include both collective and individual efforts, and eventually evolved into an industry cluster.