Zhuji Shanxiahu诸暨山下湖
Zhejiang
Shanxiahu town in Zhuji is the world's largest freshwater pearl trading hub; Xinhua reported in 2024 that it accounts for more than 80% of China's pearl sales and over 73% of the world's. Sales exceeded RMB 50 billion in 2023, and the town now runs a large livestream sector with more than 5,000 live-commerce businesses. Most activity centres on the Huadong International Jewelry City market, where loose pearls, strands and finished jewelry are traded by weight or by piece.
Freshwater pearls (loose and strands)Pearl jewelryPearl-based cosmetics and powder
Key figures
Buyer tips
- Pearls are graded on size, shape, lustre, surface and matching, and each supplier uses its own AAA-style labels; agree grading with photographed reference strands and keep a retained sample for comparison.
- Ask whether pearls are dyed, bleached or treated, and disclose it on product listings; the US FTC Jewelry Guides and similar rules require treatment disclosure.
- Metal findings are a bigger compliance risk than the pearls themselves: request nickel-release (EU REACH) and lead/cadmium (CPSIA, California Prop 65) test reports for clasps and settings.
- Loose pearls are often sold by weight (per jin or gram) and prices move with each harvest; lock prices per lot and order samples before paying for bulk strands.
Wholesale markets
- Huadong International Jewelry City (华东国际珠宝城)
Trade fairs
- Shanxiahu World Pearl Conference (山下湖世界珍珠大会, held each May)
Typical ocean transit
| From | North Europe | US West Coast | US East Coast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 40–4732–35 via Suez | 10–16 | 28–34 |
| Ningbo | 39–4731–35 via Suez | 12–18 | 30–36 |
Port-to-port, in days. Door-to-door adds inland haulage, customs and final delivery. Most Asia–North Europe services still sail around the Cape of Good Hope; the range assumes that routing. Some services are returning to Suez from September 2026, which shortens the trip to about the “via Suez” figure.
Related guides
- China Manufacturing Hubs: Which City Makes What (Cluster Map)
- Factory vs Trading Company in China: How to Tell and Which to Use
- China Dropshipping Agent vs AliExpress: Which to Use and When
- AQL Explained: How Pre-Shipment Inspection Sampling Works
- Defective Goods from China: What to Do When Your Order Arrives Wrong
- Custom Packaging from China: Options, Printing, MOQs and Labels
Other clusters in Zhejiang
- Yiwu — Small commodities and general merchandise
- Yongkang — Vacuum flasks and thermos cups
- Cixi — Small home appliances
- Ningbo — Stationery and office supplies
- Wenzhou — Footwear and leather
- Taizhou — Plastic moulds and injection-moulded products (Huangyan)
- Shaoxing Keqiao — Woven and knitted fabrics
- Haining — Leather and fur garments
- Zhuji Datang — Socks and hosiery
- Anji — Office chairs