ABOUT US

The British Pearl Association (BPA) is a national trade and consumer interest group. Its purpose is to promote the growth of the UK and worldwide pearl industry and represents both cultured and natural pearls. Check out how pearls are formed.

With a steady, growing number of partnerships and memberships, the BPA represents suppliers, pearl jewellery wholesalers, retailers (both on the high street and internet based), jewellers, designers, hobbyists, consumers and galleries. 

Education

• For retailers to be better informed about pearls and pearl products and be able to sell them with confidence. We will be rolling out training packages for retailers to increase their knowledge base of pearls and to provide a better consumer service.
• For consumers to be able to purchase pearls with an increased confidence and awareness of the differences between types of pearls, different shapes, pearl jewellery designs available and how pearls are sourced. We have a growing directory of jewellery designers and stockists of pearl products enabling an informed decision with regard to choosing where to shop.

Supporting sustainable sourcing

We encourage sourcing by raising awareness of fair trade and sustainable pearl farming.

Discounts

Saving members money with supplier partners offering discounts ranging from jewellery tools, findings and packaging to products and services, for example laser engraving (student members receive an  20% discount on membership).

Member directory

The member directory is a benefit included with Gold and Gold Plus memberships and allows member promotion with a full description, image gallery and links to websites and social media. Consumers are able to search for designers and retailers of pearl jewellery.

Sales platform

The BPA is run in partnership with the GoJD and we are pleased to be able to offer Member Selling Platforms Odissa, and GoJD Connect as part of our Gold and Gold Plus membership subscriptions. Odissa and GoJD Connect are dedicated jewellery sales platforms offering  BTC and BTB sales respectively.

The British Pearl Association

The Guild of Jewellery Designers

44 Hockley Street

Hockley

Birmingham

B18 6BH

Tel: 0121 507 0994