The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is shaking up the pearl industry by adding unique reference numbers to their cultured pearl reports—each number linked to an RFID tag embedded in the pearl’s nucleus. This game-changing innovation, called Metakaku®, promises unprecedented traceability in the pearl supply chain.
Why the Metakaku® Technology Is a Game-Changer
These RFID tags, developed by Fukui Shell Nucleus Factory in Hong Kong, are inserted into the pearl nucleus, allowing each pearl to have a unique reference number. The GIA grading reports now feature this number alongside the GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors™, making it easier than ever to trace the origins and quality of each pearl.
Tom Moses, Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer at GIA, said, "Adding detailed RFID information to GIA’s cultured pearl grading reports is a significant step forward for traceability and transparency in the pearl industry."
Pearl Traceability—A New Era for the Industry
Fukui recently supplied a batch of Akoya, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls, all grown with RFID-tagged nuclei. The use of Metakaku® technology has been extended to major pearl producers in French Polynesia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan, and China. Junjie Wang, Project Director and the creator of Metakaku®, stated, "Through Metakaku® technology, we hope to provide the value that every pearl harvest deserves and create more opportunities."
Could This Be the Future of Pearls?
With the integration of advanced RFID technology, the pearl industry is making a giant leap toward full transparency and traceability. For consumers, this means greater confidence in the origins and quality of every pearl they buy. Stay tuned—this could be the start of a new era where pearls are not only beautiful but also completely traceable.