Galatea Partners with Tahiti Rava Rava Pearl To Expand Pearl Carving Operation

May 7, 2012 - PRLog -- Galatea: Jewelry by Artist, San Dimas, CA, today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Papeete-based Tahiti Rava Rava Pearls to expand its pearl carving operations in Soc Trang, Vietnam. The factory expansion is estimated to triple the annual supply of Galatea's carved black Tahitian, yellow South Sea and freshwater pearls.

"We are very pleased to enter into this collaboration with Galatea," says Philippe Chenne, owner of TRRP, one of Tahiti's largest pearl wholesalers. "Galatea's proprietary carving techniques have taken pearls to an entirely new level of beauty and excitement. We believe this is a category that will grow substantially over the coming years."

Galatea will also act as wholesaler for TRRP's Tahitian and South Sea pearls in the United States, expanding its pearl strand business and offering exceptional pricing to its customers through its direct affiliation with TRRP.  "We can now offer our customers an unlimited supply of the best quality pearls from the world's best sources," says Chi Huynh. A new 100+ page catalog has been designed to showcase traditional strands of Tahitian, golden and white South Sea and Akoya Pearls as well as 8 new styles of carved pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

A Galatea/TRRP jointly-owned wholesaling venture, to be known as the Galatea Pearl Company, will be dedicated to wholesaling Galatea's uniquely designed carved pearls in selected markets outside the United States. The company will be based in Hong Kong.  The Galatea Pearl Company will work in tandem with TRRP's Hong Kong-based pearl distributor, Pearls of Paradise, Ltd., to  market loose carved pearls to the Asian and European markets. Currently, Galatea carved pearls are only available in the company's own designs, including its celebrated Diamond in a Pearl™ and Queen Bead Collections, which are sold throughout North America.

As part of the partnership, TRRP will also invest in the production of the Galatea Pearl™ where renewed culturing efforts in French Polynesia are currently underway. A patented cultured pearl enucleated with a semi-precious gemstone bead and hand-carved to expose the gemstone beneath the nacre, Galatea Pearl growing operations in Tahiti will be managed by TRRP. The first crop from the new venture is expected  to be harvested in late 2012.

About Tahiti Rava Rava Pearl: With over 1.5 million pearls in stock, TRRP is one of Tahiti's largest black pearl farming and wholesaling operations. TRRP draws from its own farms and the farms of numerous indigenous pearl farmers to offer Tahitian pearls of the highest quality.

About Pearls of Paradise, Ltd.: Specializing in Tahitian black pearls, Pearls of Paradise is based in Hong Kong. The firm specializes in the sale of  matched strands, loose pearls and half-drilled matched pearl sets for earrings.

About Galatea: Jewelry by Artist: With a driving creative passion, Galatea takes the basic components of fine jewelry and touches them with the hand of the artist. Known for unique jewelry featuring carved pearls and patented gemstone cuts, Galatea: Jewelry by Artist offers the Diamond in a Pearl, Galatea Pearl, Queen Bead and DavinChi Cut Collections. Founded by artist Chi Huynh in 1994, Galatea: Jewelry by Artist manufactures both in the U.S. and Viet Nam and sells to approximately 1500 retail jewelers throughout the United States and Canada. The company is based in San Dimas, California. For additional information, visit www.GalateaUSA.com.