Made in China: Cultured Pearls

Not limited to knock off handbags, bootleg movies and the occasional American flag, China is currently the world largest producer of pearls. This is due to the booming business of cheaper farmed pearls that are being used in costume jewelry with a price point that is much more affordable than their saltwater counterparts. 
Some consider cultured, or man made pearls the wave of the future, such as Zhan Weijian, owner of Grace Pearls, one of the worlds largest pearl farming companies and creator of the "Edison" pearl. Others, who value the rarity and natural beauty of saltwater pearls feel that freshwater pearls are, in a sense, bastardizing the industry.
Are cultured pearls the new cubic zirconia?
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