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A triple-strand pearl necklace glows under soft lighting in Zhuji, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided by Shanxiahu town]

In Shanxiahu, a town in Zhejiang's Zhuji county-level city known for its pearl industry, a new generation of high-tech pearls is redefining tradition.

With a simple tap of a smartphone's NFC function near a cultured pearl, detailed information about the pearl appears instantly on the screen — from its growth cycle to its origin.

The innovation embeds NFC chips into pearl nuclei before the cultivation process begins. These microchips record key data and allow consumers to access transparent information about each pearl's journey.

The integration of chip technology into the pearl farming process is a joint effort between Fukui and local pearl enterprises. It enhances consumer trust by revealing a pearl's lifecycle and quality characteristics, while advancing transparency across the supply chain.

The upcoming 5th Shanxiahu World Pearl Conference will show these "smart pearls" to international guests and consumers. Visitors will be able to scan pearls with their phones and uncover the story behind each one — a fusion of tradition and technology.

"The smart pearl represents a digital breakthrough for the jewelry industry," said Guo Nan, Party secretary of Shanxiahu town. "As the technology matures and costs fall, it has huge potential in high-end jewelry and cultural creative sectors. It's pushing the pearl industry toward smarter and more personalized development."