Japanese Pearl Industry Update During Disaster

Crown quality Japanese Akoya pearls shown by Imperial-Deltah pearl company during AGTA GemFair.

Obviously, the ongoing life and death situation from the tri-level tragedy in Japan are dominating the concerns of the Japanese people right now so there isn’t a lot to report regarding the country’s vitally important pearl industry. However, some news has trickled out and so far it seems that the pearl industry and more importantly those who work in the industry are largely unscathed.

First, Mikimoto, the largest and most famous pearl company in Japan, reports on its website that it has “confirmed the safety of all Mikimoto employees in Japan. Mikimoto stores, buildings, factories and facilities, including our pearl farm, have not sustained major damage.”

Meanwhile, Terry Shepherd, president of The Pearl Outlet, Woodland, Wash., gave a rundown on the situation on the Pearl-Guide message board, and again the news is largely as good as can be, considering the circumstances. The post includes the following note:

Cultivation areas: no major damages in initial reports

*Shima region: minor damage to rafts by tsunami
*Ehime: mostly OK
*Nagasaki & Kumamoto: mostly OK

As Mikimoto noted, Google has set up a crisis response website for this disaster at http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html.

Lady Gaga Designs Bracelet to Benefit Japanese Relief Efforts, Updated

Photo credit: Lady Gaga Official Store website.

Pop icon Lady Gaga has created a prayer bracelet to benefit the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The simple white bracelet has the words “We Pray for Japan” in red letters in English and Japanese. It is available for $5 on her official store website. However, Gaga encourages people to spend extra for the bracelet. All proceeds will go toward Japan relief efforts, according to the website.

“Little Monsters, show your support for Japan with this ‘We Pray For Japan’ wristband!,” the website reads. “Choose your price to add an additional donation with your wristband. All proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts.”

The bracelet can be purchased now for pre-order and will ship on or around March 25, the website reads.

The death toll from the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami is expected to rise to the tens of thousands, according to official Japanese sources. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese residents have lost their homes and other belongings. The deaths and damages affect more than a quarter of Japan's 47 prefectures (counties). In addition, nuclear power plants in the region are in a precarious situation.

Update 4:48 p.m.: Lady Gaga tweeted: "Monsters: in just 48 hrs you've raised a quarter of a million dollars for Japan Relief."