Beijing Bling: Buying Pearls, Jade & Other Adornments
Beijing has much to offer in the way of pearls, jade, gold and silver, and precious gems including crystal, emerald, coral and diamonds. Prices range from practically peanuts to tens of thousands, so bargain hard.
Beijing Fine Jewelers
Specialists in making jewelry to order, using all types of precious stones, set in gold or silver. Repair and duplicates are also available. Daily 9.30am-9pm. A6 Gongti Donglu (opposite East Gate of Workers’ Stadium), Chaoyang District. (6592 7118, 139 0114 6739) 北京大方元珠宝行, 朝阳区工体东路甲6号工人体育场东门对面
Fanghua Pearls
This renowned Hongqiao pearl vendor- see below- has expanded into a nationwide chain of stores. Today, the original location spans over 1,000 square meters, and despite their success, prices remain moderate. Online ordering and delivery are also available. 1) GG08, B1/F, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Oriental Plaza, Dongchang’an Jie, Dongcheng District. (8515 1988); 2) Stall 4318, 4/F Hongqiao Market, Chongwen District. (6718 7888) www.fanghua.com 芳华珠宝, 1) 东城区东长安街东方广场东方君悦大酒店地下1层GG08; 2) 崇文区红桥市场4层4318
Hongqiao Pearl Market
Located near the Temple of Heaven, Hongqiao is the mother of all pearl markets – the largest of its kind in Asia. Stall after stall, including the massive Fanghua Pearls store (see above), span three floors and sell pearls, jade, jewelry, arts and crafts, antiques and clothing. Prices for pearls range from under RMB 100 (third floor) to RMB 1 million (fourth and fifth floors). Daily 8.30am-7pm. 46 Hongqiao Lu, opposite the East Gate of the Temple of Heaven, Chongwen District. (6713 3354) www.hongqiao-pearl-market.com 红桥市场,崇文区红桥路46号（天坛东门对面）
Silk Street Market (Xiushui Jie)
Beijing’s most famous clothing market also has an extensive collection of cultured freshwater pearl jewelry on the fourth and fifth floors. Most stalls can make custom designs upon request. Daily 9am-9pm. 4-5/F, 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5169 8800) www.xiushui.com.cn 秀水街 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号4-5层
Yashow Market (Yaxiu Market)
Located just down the road from the Sanlitun bar street, this clothing market has a similar set-up to Silk Street and an array of cultured pearls and jewelry dealers offering seawater, fresh-water and South Sea (or known as Tahitian) pearls. Daily 9.30am-9pm. 4/F, 58 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6415 1726) 雅秀市场, 朝阳区工体北路58号四层
Beijing International Jewelry Exchange Center
Consists of 300 shops encompassing over 10,000 square meters selling everything from crystal and white jade to gems and pearls. Daily 9am-7pm. 2 Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District. (8464 6745, 8464 6707) www.bje.com.cn 北京国际珠宝交易中心, 朝阳区惠新东街2号
Beijing Xisi Yangrou Hutong Jewelry Exchange center
Like many old market areas in Beijing, this traditional “Jewelry Street” in historic Yangrou Hutong in Xicheng District has been herded indoors into a large market selling a range of gemstones, wedding rings and necklaces. Other jewelers in the area sell 24-karat gold rings and necklaces to a predominately local clientele, but it’s worth having a look in these stores for some good bargains. Daily 9am-6pm. 17 Yangrou Hutong, Xicheng District. (6616 8405) 北京西四羊肉胡同珠宝中新， 西城区羊肉胡同17号
