Jeweler Jorge Adeler recounts his life-changing experiences in  the Far East during a tour to the pearl industry’s epicenter

By Jorge Adeler

Jorge Adeler examining pearls in the Philippines.

As a jeweler and owner of Adeler Jewelers, it’s important to understand a gem’s origin, culture, and emotion. Only then do I feel I can communicate its secrets and mysteries and create jewelry with purpose. On my 15-day trip to Asia, I was able to see first-hand the history and development of the golden pearls of the South Pacific, the Akoya pearls of Japan, and the freshwater and Tahitian black pearls of China.