Chapter 399 (1/2)

”Do you know anything about pearl picking here?” Tomorrow is just the negotiation. Li Zitao, who has nothing to do, goes to the wharf to see the recent development of Pearl mining industry here.

”Not really. Maybe you can ask them.” There are wooden fishing boats and frogmen ready to go into the water.

His waist was wrapped in a pair of underpants full of holes and yellow. His body was white and black. Some people still had red spots on his body. Large pieces of skin fell off, revealing the red meat inside.

After long-term erosion of sea water, it is exposed to the sun, peeled and healed, soaked and peeled again, and then healed.

The skin of the old frogman is like a kind of ”hard shell” because of the formation of calluses in this way. Occasionally, after falling off for too long in the sea, they will appear white skin below, which is why they look white and black.

For the people here, the sea is the mother who gives them life, because too many families depend on the products salvaged from the sea.

It is not uncommon for a dozen or even a small tribe to be frogmen. After all, rich marine life is one of their rations.

Of course, roasted camels are the favorite food in these countries, but they are the most important means of transportation.

Apart from the Emir who controls the country, few tribes are willing to kill them to eat, unless they are tired or dead.

”Friend, are you free to talk?” Li Zitao asked an old man on a boat.

”I have a lot of time if you're going to sea.” The old man responded immediately.

It seems that it is impossible to chat for free. Lu Qiang and Shen Dong are waiting on the shore. Li Zitao takes the monk to the boat.

”Is the Pearl yield high here?” Leaving the bank, Li Zitao took a cigar from the sealed cigarette holder and handed it to the other party.

”Thank you.” The old man took a look at the cigar, took out a waterproof leather bag from under the seat, and wrapped the cigar carefully, for fear that it would catch moisture.

Such a cigar can be exchanged in a ”second-hand shop” for food needed for a week's life. Its value is more than his life.

”Doha is the most concentrated oyster breeding area in the Persian Gulf. Even Dalma island and Manama are not as many as here. People can always find surprises here.”

Dharma is the Pearl collecting area of Abu Dhabi, Manama is the capital of Bahrain, and Doha is the most prolific pearl collecting center of oysters.

Frogs often find surprises in these places. Last week, a frog man found a black pearl, which was eventually bought by a British businessman for 50 pounds.

”It's so big.” The old man hooped out a circle with thumb and forefinger, about 7mm, and said with envy.

”50 pounds?” Li Zitao is speechless, which is really profiteering.

8 mm black pearl, 50 pounds. When the Pearl arrived in the British boutique, Li Zitao would bet that the price would not be less than 10000 pounds.

Among the natural pearls, 8mm is considered to be the top class. In addition to the natural ”big man” Nanyang pearl, their diameter is generally 8-15mm.

At present, the largest diameter found is 18mm round black pearl. It is the collection of a duchess. It was once offered $700000 for it.

1 mm pearls are sold by catty, 2 mm pearls are 20 cents each, and 3 mm pearls are really valuable. According to the color and quality of the pearl layer, the price is about 1 US dollar.

Double 4mm, double 5mm again, about 4 US dollars, 6 mm price can reach 10 US dollars, 7mm about 20 US dollars, 8mm is very rare.

For example, the black pearl, which was sold for 50 pounds, came out in five or six years.