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The Akoya pearl is a saltwater cultured pearl from the
Akoya oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii). Akoyas are the most popular
type of pearls and are considered to be the classic pearl used for necklaces,
and other pearl jewelry. With their perfect round shapes, bright mirror-like
luster, and soft neutral colors, Akoya pearls are favored by most retailers,
consumers, and others in the pearling industry. Made affordable and popular by
the patented technique of bead-nucleating by Kokichi Mikimoto at the turn of the
20th century, Akoya pearls now grace the necklines of ladies from all walks of
life and cultures around the world. |
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Akoya pearls are best known for their aesthetic
qualities. Unlike their freshwater cousins, Akoya oysters rarely produce more
than 2 pearls per harvest. The oysters are nucleated with a bead composed of
mother-of-pearl and mantle tissue. This bead is the basis of the pearl and is
the reason Akoya pearls are more often perfectly round. This shape combined with
the high-luster found on top-quality Akoya pearls, like those available from
Netpearls shop, and their relative rarity compared to freshwater pearls give
Akoya pearls both a higher perceived and actual value. Akoya pearls are valued
many times more than freshwater pearls of comparable quality. |
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| The Akoya oyster is the smallest commercially farmed,
pearl-producing oyster. Because of this, the pearls do tend to be small. An
average Akoya pearl is only 7mm, while an average South Sea pearl is in the 12mm
range. Akoya pearls are currently being harvested in sizes from as small as 1mm
up to the very rare 10mm. Akoya pearls are inherently round, although every
harvest produces a percentage of baroque and keshi pearls. These pearls tend to
have the bright luster and shine common to the Akoya, but a shape and look
reminiscent of a freshwater. Although these baroque and keshi pearls are still
considered more valuable than comparable freshwater pearls, they are available
at most Akoya pearl farms for only a few dollars per strand. They are not
considered jewelry-quality pearls, but are still collected by consumers wishing
to have a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Akoya pearls, unless color-treated, have
soft, neutral colors and overtones. Most pearls are white to grey, with pink,
green, or silver overtones. Akoya pearls are never naturally black - these
pearls have undergone either a radiation treatment or dyeing. |
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Akoya pearls are currently being farmed in China, Japan, and to a lesser extent,
Vietnam, Thailand, and a few other small areas. Japan was once the undisputed
Akoya pearl producing center of the world, but has recently lost that title to
China, where in the last 5 years pearls of equivalent quality have been produced
in a much greater abundance. The vast majority of the world's Akoya pearls, 8mm
and larger, are still produced in Japan. However, the Japanese now import many
of their smaller Akoya pearls from neighboring China. These pearls are then
worked into finished and semi-finished goods and sold as Japanese Akoya
pearls.
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| While the Akoya pearl is undoubtedly a more rare and
valuable pearl than its freshwater pearl cousin, it is only the third most
valuable commercially produced pearl, falling behind South Sea and Tahitians.
Akoya pearls can be, however, extremely valuable, and it is common to find
top-quality Akoya pearl strands retailing for more than $10,000. This would be
average for a Tahitian strand and low for a South Sea, but much higher than any
comparable freshwater pearl necklace. |
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our shop: Saltwater Akoya Pearl Jewelry |
