Pearls of wisdom: Jewelry designer brings fresh ideas to fair

By Melanie Tucker
of The Daily Times Staff

Hui Malkowski's family farm in China is supplying East Tennessee with some great ideas for Mother's Day.

The jewelry designer now lives in Farragut, but returns to her native country at least once per year. She brings back with her freshwater pearls grown on the family farm in a village just outside Shanghai.

Malkowski, whose business is called The Pearl Pagoda, is one of about 50 area artisans and crafters who will be part of the Spring Arts and Crafts Fair to be held Friday and Saturday at New Midland Plaza in Alcoa.

Family farm

For about the past 10 years, Malkowski and her family have raised freshwater pearls and made it a lucrative business both in China and now here. While she doesn't yet have her own shop, Malkowski sells her original jewelry pieces in shops in Knoxville. She also participates in shows like this one at New Midland and often takes her earrings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants to schools in the area.

It takes close to two years for pearls to mature in the shell, Malkowski explained. She said they grow in various shapes and colors. How many pearls are retrieved from each shell depends on the health of the oyster. And some of the pearls will remain baby pearls, never reaching maturity.

Natural colors include white, pink, lavender and even peacock, this designer explained. There are the round pearls we are all familiar with, but the gems can also be flat, shaped like a potato or rice or even resemble a tooth or peanut. Pearls that grow together are often called blister pearls.

And for those who want a larger color selection, Malkowski dyes the pearls in vibrant colors, like purple or orange.

Classy or casual

"This is a pretty popular business in China," Malkowski explained. She said the climate required to raise the freshwater pearls is similar to here in East Tennessee.

It is Mother's Day weekend. Malkowski plans to have plenty of traditional white pearl necklaces, earrings and bracelets to satisfy those with the desire for classic style. But she also designs pieces you won't see in other places.

"I try to make my pieces so unique that you can't find them in jewelry stores," she said. "I have things that people in China like and then I modify them more for American tastes."

Before moving to Farragut recently, Malkowski lived in South Carolina and had her jewelry in shops there. She is hopeful her business will grow here.

She uses the oyster shells in some of her pendants and necklaces. There is very little waste when it comes to harvesting the pearls, this designer explained. She said the pearls that aren't used for jewelry pieces are ground up and used in a powder or even face cream.

The pearls have lots of calcium and the pearl powder is good for the liver, Malkowski said.

She was part of the New Midland Show last time and had good response from customers. She added rings to her collection after numerous customers requested them.

Pearls, Malkowski said, are timeless and can be worn in both classy and casual styles. She said families often pass them from generation to generation.

All ages find something they like about pearls, she said.