Do you collect pearls like some do shoes? Do you fall into a trancelike state upon gazing at the mirrorlike luster of pearls? Do you obsess over the mesmerizing colors of pearls? Then you have found your people—pearl people. That’s who we are at the Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc.

We love pearls for the way they look, the way they make us feel, and for the healthy impact (beautiful pearls grow only in pristine environments) they have on their Environment and on the people that live to produce them. CPAA members also love selling pearls to emerging and seasoned collectors and buyers all over the world.

So, if you design with, grow, sell, or deal with cultured pearls in any way, membership in the CPAA is a must! The CPAA educates, guides, and serves reputable persons and companies dealing with cultured pearls to help elevate pearls and pearl jewelry in the eyes of the public. Like you, the CPAA understands that pearls are the most exciting category in jewelry, and that’s why CPAA exists—to help those who want to step up their pearl game! Through education, social media, and other promotional efforts, the CPAA wants you to succeed! Learn about the two different levels of membership and valuable, accompanying benefits below.

Have ideas about how we can improve? Let us know by emailing Douglas McLaurin

Membership Levels & Benefits

Affiliate Membership, $299 Annually

Affiliate-level membership is available to reputable growers, importers, wholesalers, dealers, designers, manufacturers, and retailers who distinguish themselves using cultured pearls.

• Access to the CPAA's proprietary and robust online pearl specialist certification education, Pearls as One. Train your staff and watch your pearl sales skyrocket! Take the course at your leisure, there is no time limit. Join the membership to obtain the coupon code to learn for free.
• A monthly member's only CPAA newsletter that includes member news, relevant industry happenings and deadlines, as well as business tips, reminders, and editorial opportunities.
• Social media program participation including a minimum of one image of your work shared monthly on the CPAA Instagram feed (@pearlscpaa).
• Opportunities to be included in original pearl content (including profiles), some that will appear trade publications, and others that will appear in the CPAA’s new bimonthly #thisispearl #thisispearl is our signature hashtag and aims to call attention to modern pearl jewelry. #thisispearl magazine is delivered through the Shells newsletter, a proprietary email list of 45,000-plus pearl lovers.
• A 30-percent discounted entry into the International Pearl Design Contest.
• Ability to participate in cost-effective and creative CPAA group advertising, marketing, and photography opportunities as they arise, such as annual pre-Las Vegas advertising.
• Assistance in organizing roundtables with interested retailers or collaborations with designers to create micro pearl jewelry collections that are publicized.
• Ability to use up to 10 shots annually in CPAA’s proprietary photo library (catalog attached), which includes proprietary pearl-theme artwork and photos.
• Discounts on bulk orders of CPAA’s proprietary promotional merchandise.
• The opportunity to be featured in live at-trade-show coverage by CPAA through Instagram Live, original content that will be created by CPAA, and on CPAA social media.
• One free ticket to the annual Pearl Party in Tucson during the AGTA Tucson GemFair.
• Timely updates about Federal Trade Commission and CIBJO guidelines that pertain to the pearl business.
• And more!

Ready to join us? Click here to become an Affiliate Member.

Foundation Member, $1,500 Annually

Foundation-level membership is available to reputable growers, importers, wholesalers, dealers, designers, manufacturers, and retailers who distinguish themselves using cultured pearls. Foundation-level members must be pre-approved by the current CPAA board of directors, have voting rights on the board, and can participate as board members.

• Access to the CPAA's proprietary and robust online pearl specialist certification education, Pearls as One. Train your staff and watch your pearl sales skyrocket! Take the course at your leisure, there is no time limit. Join the membership to obtain the coupon code to learn for free.
• A monthly members only CPAA newsletter that includes member news, relevant industry happenings and deadlines, as well as business tips, reminders, and editorial opportunities.
• Social media program participation including a minimum of two images of your work shared monthly on the CPAA Instagram feed (@pearlscpaa).
• Opportunities to be included in original pearl content (including profiles), some that will appear trade publications, and others that will appear in the CPAA’s new bimonthly #thisispearl #thisispearl is our signature hashtag and aims to call attention to modern pearl jewelry. #thisispearl magazine is delivered through the Shells newsletter, a proprietary email list of 45,000-plus pearl lovers.
• A 40-percent discounted entry into the International Pearl Design Contest.
• Ability to participate in cost-effective and creative CPAA group advertising, marketing, and photography opportunities as they arise, such as annual pre-Las Vegas advertising.
• Assistance in organizing roundtables with interested retailers or collaborations with designers to create micro pearl jewelry collections that are publicized.
• Unlimited use of photos in CPAA’s proprietary photo library (catalog attached), which includes proprietary pearl-theme artwork and photos. Tell me the name of the image file you want to use and I’ll share the high-res image with you.
• Discounts on bulk orders of CPAA’s proprietary promotional merchandise.
• The opportunity to be featured in live at-trade-show coverage by CPAA through Instagram Live, original content that will be created by CPAA, and in CPAA social media.
• Two free tickets to the annual Pearl Party in Tucson during the AGTA Tucson GemFair.
• Timely updates about Federal Trade Commission and CIBJO guidelines that pertain to the pearl business.
• And more!

Ready to join us? Click here to become a Foundation Member.