Mastoloni Pearls Featured in AGTA Prism Magazine Member Profile

Mastoloni Pearls Featured in AGTA Prism Magazine Member Profile

Posted: December 08, 2010 

Mastoloni is one of North America’s leading purveyors of the finest cultured pearls. It is a three-generation business, and an American success story that began over 90 years ago in New York City. In the mid-1920s Frank Mastoloni, Sr. founded a company with his brothers and began searching the world for cultured saltwater pearls, which were still at the experimental stage of development. By 1948, he made the move to specialize in what was still a “new” phenomenon - cultured pearls. Over the next 10 years, his three sons and son in-law joined the team. Together they built the company based on the Mastoloni principles of quality, fair dealings and innovation. They were among the first in North America to offer the extraordinary cultured pearls emerging from Japan, the South Pacific and beyond. They began creating their own designs and, by the late 1970’s, their own brand.

In the 1980’s, the third generation came aboard. On October 4, 1982, Fran Mastoloni came on as an apprentice. He began to immerse himself in learning all aspects of the business. Two years later, while studying in Japan, Fran would learn about farming, shipping and sorting. This experience laid the foundation for his daily role at Mastoloni Pearls. “There is a lot of overlap with my cousin and uncle, but I am responsible for most of the purchasing of the company,” said Fran. “I am responsible for Asia and the acquisition of merchandise.” Mastoloni Pearls specializes in the exquisite Akoya and freshwater cultured pearls from both Japan and China and they offers the exotic beauty of South Sea and Tahitian pearls. They select every pearl individually, first for its quality, then for its beauty and luster. 

For over 25 years, Mastoloni has been exhibiting at AGTA GemFair™ Tucson. The company usually exhibits at 9 to 10 shows per year. “What sets GemFair Tucson apart is the customers- they are highly involved and are looking to put stuff together,” states Fran Mastoloni. “Still, our business is run through traditional lines; we have a full sales staff across the United States.”

At Mastoloni, strands of pearls are still an important part of the business. Of course design has become much more important. “We make a lot of pearl jewelry,” adds Fran. And year after year, the collections signed Mastoloni have been renowned for meticulous design and craftsmanship. He remains optimistic about the economy. “There has been a definite turn in business, and it is slowly returning to better days,” stated Mastoloni “Pearls have been pretty consistent and steady - better days are coming. You just have to be a little bit better and provide the best customer service and product in order to stay competitive.”

Having offices in Hong Kong and China has allowed the company to bring the “game” to them. In addition, Mastoloni has built strong relationships with companies throughout the years and with some companies these relationships are over 60 years old.

In 1957, Frank Mastoloni was one of the original founding members of the Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA). Now in 2010, Fran Mastoloni is currently President of the Association. The goal of the organization is to “cultivate” awareness, interest, demand and successful marketability of cultured pearls for the retail community and the consumer level. Finishing his second term, Fran Mastoloni has found the experience to be very enlightening. “Even though there is a change in the economy, we want to maintain a consistent promotion and guide us through better times,” stated Mastoloni.

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