Pearl oysters produced in Zhuji, Shaoxing. [Photo/Tide News]

Shaoxing recently released the Guidelines for the Construction of a Freshwater Pearl Standard System — the first group standard for the freshwater pearl industry in Zhejiang province. The guidelines provide a top-level standardization framework for the entire freshwater pearl industry chain, filling a gap in the sector's standards and offering crucial support for the transformation and upgrading of Shaoxing's pearl industry.  

Pearl production is a historically significant and highly recognizable industry in Shaoxing, with Zhuji serving as its core hub. The region has become the world's largest base for freshwater pearl farming, research and development, processing, and trade. Annual sales of freshwater pearls in Zhuji exceed 50 billion yuan ($7.16 billion), accounting for 80 percent of the domestic market share. 

However, the industry faces challenges such as incomplete standards and a complete lack of standards in certain areas, limiting the industry's development and underscoring the need for systematic guidance.  

The guidelines focus on the entire lifecycle of freshwater pearls, covering four core areas: general fundamentals, farming and processing, operation and service, and management and evaluation. The drafting team systematically reviewed over 140 domestic and international standards related to pearl production, clarifying the scope and application of existing standards. Based on the characteristics and strengths of Shaoxing's pearl industry, the team also identified gaps in the current standards and proposed directions for developing or revising them in the future.