Unveiling the Traceable Journey of Pearls via 1QR

Based in Hong Kong, Fukui Shell Nucleus Factory, specializes in manufacturing and supplying pearl nuclei and pearl farming tools to farms worldwide. Since 2012, the company has embedded wireless RFID digital tags into pearl nuclei, enabling unique identification and traceability from “birth of the pearl”.

Today, the company collaborates with major pearl producers in French Polynesia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Japan and China for the use of this pearl tracking technology named “Metakaku®”

In light of the increasing importance of sustainability and transparency to consumers around the world, as well as shifting behaviors towards purchasing individual pearls, the company has been advocating for the inclusion of traceable RFID reference number in GIA (Gemological Institute of America) reports, and eventually set the new chapter before the jewelry show in Hong Kong.

The RFID reference tracking number, detected by an RFID reader during GIA’s examination of the pearl, is now included to the GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Reports, linking it with the quality attributes based on The GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors (Size, Shape, Color, Nacre, Luster, Surface, and Matching).

However, this milestone was just the beginning. The company aims to further enhance product information transparency for consumers directly from the source, expanding beyond the 7 pearl value factors.

Each RFID tag embedded in pearls using the Metakaku ® patented technology carries GS1’s Serialised Global Trade Item Number (SGTIN) as a unique traceable “ID number” for the pearls.

The company has adopted 1QR, a QR code built based on GS1 Digital Link, on a printed card to be inserted with the GIA report for some of it pearls. The url of QR code is standardized with GS1 identifier – SGTIN encoded, and can be connected to a wealth of real-time information. This enables consumers to access additional information beyond those listed on GIA report - the pearl’s traceable journey from its country of origin, cultivation site, nucleation & harvest date, etc simply by scanning the QR code.

This also addresses consumers’ primary concerns when purchasing pearls, as prices can vary significantly based on their origins, but it is often challenging for untrained eyes to distinguish between genuine pearls and imitations. For instance, a customer might unknowingly purchase freshwater pearls believing they are seawater pearls. Such traceable journey of each pearl helps protect consumers from being misled by salesperson.

In addition, consumers can also watch the video demonstrating the technology behind the traceable pearl.

The company also utilized 1QR platform to showcase the pearl’s GIA report online, empowering consumers to access the report anytime and anywhere. This enhances consumer confidence in the pearls and brings greater convenience to consumers.

With their online shop link added to 1QR platform, consumers can scan and be directed to the online store simply by scanning the QR code.

• Complete transparency & traceability of the pearl’s journey from “birth” to consumer
• Address consumers’ major concern when purchasing the pearls, increase consumer confidence and prevent them from purchasing counterfeited pearl products
• Empower consumers to scan and access product information beyond GIA’s report

Fukui Shell Nucleus Factory is a Hong Kong based company specialised in manufacturing and supplying pearl nuclei and pearl farming operation tools to pearl farms around the world. It has a global market share reaching some 30% in pearl nuclei supply, with a clientele comprising some of the world’s largest top pearl cultivators.