Akoya Cultured Pearl Jewelry

Pearls have been cherished for centuries for their purity and elegance. They’ve been associated with wealth and good fortune throughout the generations, and are often passed down as family heirlooms from mother to daughter. A truly remarkable quality of these gems is that they are just as popular now as they were a hundred years ago. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge who we absolutely adore, and other celebs like Katy Perry, Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley and Sarah Jessica Parker all rock pearl earrings, necklaces and other accessories at major events. In recent years, leading brands have been working to reinvent the pearl and use it to replace another jewelry staple- the diamond. Natural pearls are also becoming more rare, a fact which increases their value and makes them even more popular among collectors.

Jean Ghika, an expert from Bonhams, an auction house specializing in Jewelry, explained: “Pearls were once seen as a bit dated – perhaps the preserve of an older generation, but we’ve seen a complete change in how they are viewed. A younger fashion set is now completely at home wearing classic pearl earrings, and you’re as likely to see them in nightclubs and premieres as you are at Ascot or the Epsom Derby.”

“Pearls are a classic addition to any jewelry collection because they embody sophisticated elegance,” Emily Barber, also from Bonhams, added. “They are also immensely flattering to one’s complexion. Quite simply, pearls never go out of style, so it’s not surprising to see celebrities and the younger generation taking a shine to them.” More Details.

Freshwater pearls range in size from as small as 5mm to as large as 13mm. New technic nuclear cultured freshwater pearl reaching 11-16mm. Pearls below 7mm in size are considered to be on the smaller side, while 7-8mm and 8-9mm are among the more popular sizes selected for necklaces in Freshwater pearls. Anything sized from 9-10mm and above is considered to be above average in size, and such pearls are more rare and valuable.

Japanese Akoya pearls range in size from as small as 2mm to as large as 9mm. Pearls below 6.0mm in size are considered to be on the smaller side, while anything between 6.0mm and 8.0mm are common sizes selected for pearl jewelry items on The Pearl Source. Akoya pearls sized above 8.0mm are considered to be above average in size, and such pearls are more rare and valuable.

Tahitian pearls range in size from as small as 8mm to as large as 20mm in rare cases! The smallest size Tahitian pearls offered on The Pearl Source are 8-9mm in size, with more common sizes including 9-10mm and 10-11mm. Generally, any sizes from 11-12mm and above are considered to be above average. Such pearls are very rare and valuable, especially in higher qualities. More Details.

Pearls come in a variety of colors. The common freshwater pearls are gold, purple, pink, blue and cream. Saltwater pearls have fewer colors, generally silver-white, gold, blue and black. In addition to the size and roundness of pearls, the main reason for evaluating the quality of pearls is color. The color of the pearl is related to the trace elements contained in the pearl. The yellow series such as gold and cream mainly contain more copper and silver elements, while the pink pearl contains more trace elements of sodium and zinc.

White Pearl - From the iconic Akoya pearl to the fascinating South Sea pearl, the white pearl has been known as the “it pearl” for centuries. Due to the subtle elegance and versatility of white pearls, both men and women like to wear and enjoy white pearls. Check More.

Black Pearl - Black and exotic black pearls have captured the imaginations of men and women around the world for centuries.Black pearls are a hundred times rarer than white pearls and are endowed with a variety of mystical attributes and legends. Check More.

Tahitian pearls are one of only two naturally-colored black pearls in the world. Tahitian pearls are cultured in the Pinctada margaritifera saltwater pearl oyster in French Polynesia, and range in size from 8.0-9.0mm through 14.0-15.0mm and larger. The pearls feature primary body colors ranging from pale dove grey to dark charcoal grey to near jet black hues. More Details.

Here are 19 facts that prove pearls are the most unique and interesting gemstone. Let’s dive right in!

5-6mm – It is usually bought for young teens. This is because it’s quite small and dainty. Pearls of this size are also cool for very petite women or ladies who simply adore small gems. It gives a gracious, innocent and feminine impression, which suits their appearance. These size pearls make great gifts for young teens for birthdays, Christmas, academic achievements and coming-of-age celebrations, like bat mitzvahs, confirmations, sweet 16 parties and quinceanera celebrations.

1- Pearls are an organic gemstone but they’re different from other types of organic gems. They’re the only gemstone to come from a still-living animal. In some cases, the mussel or oyster continues living after the pearl has been extracted from it. No wonder they’re often considered a gift from the sea.

2- While oysters are the most famous pearl-producing creature, only saltwater pearls come from them. Mussels are responsible for freshwater pearls. Some other mollusks that produce pearls include clams, abalone, and the queen conch.

3- The first pearl type to be cultured was the Akoya pearl in Japan. Before that, divers generally had to go into deep and dangerous waters to extract pearls from oysters, with only about half of all pearl divers surviving the job. Little wonder when they were faced with sharks and other deep-sea horrors.

4- Every pearl is unique with no two being exactly alike. Each pearl has its own ‘fingerprint’ which refers to all its distinguishing features – bumps, blemishes, minuscule flaws. More Details.

Growing Environment of Freshwater Pearls vs Freshwater AK Pearls vs Akoya Pearls
Freshwater Pearls
Most of freshwater pearls in the market are "tissue-nucleated" cultured pearls from China. By using the technology that implant stimulants in the freshwater mussels to stimulate pearl information, freshwater pearls now can be cultivated in the lakes, rivers and ponds very well. And the quality of the freshwater pearls are getting better and better, it depends on luster, shape, colors, etc. For the most popular freshwater pearls, you may always find high quality Edison Pearl and Freshwater AK pearl.

Freshwater AK Pearl
Unlike the normal freshwater cultured pearls, freshwater AK pearls are bead-nucleated cultured pearl, which is the same as AKOYA pearl. And the big difference between freshwater pearl and Akoya pearl is that the former one is cultivated in freshwater oyster and the other one is cultivated in saltwater oyster.

Akoya Pearl
Akoya pearl is a bead-nucleated cultured pearl that cultivated from Akoya oysters that growing in the saltwater. Most of Akoya Pearl. Over 95% of Akoya pearls are from Japan. With typical Akoya oysters, it takes about 10-18 months for the cultured Akoya pearl size to be large enough for harvesting. During this time, living conditions are carefully monitored by pearl farmers, who adjust water, food, and nutrients accordingly. More Details.