Majorica

Majorica is a Spanish maker of imitation pearls, founded in Barcelona in 1890 and now based in Mallorca. It is known for pearls made on solid beads with a proprietary coating, and it matters as one of the longest-established names in manufactured pearls.

What is Majorica?

Majorica is a Spanish jewellery company that makes imitation pearls. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1890 in Barcelona and is now based in Mallorca, the island that gives the company its name.

History

The company dates to 1890. In 1990 the journal Gems & Gemology described its product in detail, calling Majorica pearls the most widely marketed and meticulously manufactured imitation pearls of the time. Wikipedia reports that Gregorio Bontoux became president in 2021, and cites a 2023 Spanish press report that the company had exited insolvency proceedings and planned international expansion.

Products and positioning

Majorica pearls are made from solid beads, thought to be glass, which are coated with a proprietary coating partly derived from fish scales. The coated beads are dried, polished and dipped in a chemical to harden the surface. The brand positions manufactured pearls as a fashion and fine-costume alternative to cultured pearls, with necklaces, earrings and bracelets as the typical formats.

Why it matters

Majorica illustrates a specialist manufacturing business that has lasted well over a century and has had to restructure to continue. For retailers and analysts of the jewellery category, it is a reference point for the imitation pearl segment. Details of its current ownership and channel mix were not available in the sources consulted, so they are not stated here.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Majorica from?

Majorica is a Spanish company. It was founded in Barcelona in 1890 and is now based in Mallorca.

What are Majorica pearls?

They are imitation pearls made on solid beads with a proprietary coating, then dried, polished and hardened. They are not cultured pearls.

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