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Posts Tagged ‘Akoya pearls’

There are so many different varieties of pearls out there in the world and it’s sometimes difficult to tell them apart. It starts with the basics; pearls are either freshwater or saltwater, obviously depending on where they are grown and harvested. The various types of pearls get broken down from there. Among the known types of pearls are Tahitian Pearls and Akoya Pearls.  Among the lesser known types of pearls are the South Sea, Cortez and Keshi pearls. They are all different and unique in their own ways.

The South Sea pearl is among the largest in the world with an average size of about 13mm. The actual oysters these pearls are harvested from are also massive in size. They can grow to be 12 inches in diameter and produce pearls anywhere from 9mm to 20mm in size. Unlike akoya oysters which can accept more than one nucleation, the South Sea pearl oyster can only accept one nucleation at a time.

There are a few reasons why South Sea pearls are so large compared to other pearls. The large size of the actual oyster is the first reason for the large pearl size. Because the oyster is so large, it allows for more room for the pearl to develop. Another reason for the large size is the size of the implanted bead. The bead that the oyster is implanted with is much larger than that of other cultured pearls. This large original bead implant causes the oyster to deposit nacre around the nucleus at a much quicker rate than other oysters. Environment is another reason why South Sea pearls get to be so large. They live in very warm, clean water filled with plankton which helps to speed up nacre production.

There are a few characteristics of South Sea pearls that make them so unique. Besides being a generally large stone, they have unusually thick nacre. Typically, an akoya pearl has a nacre of 0.35mm to 0.7mm while a South Sea pearl has nacre ranging from 2-6mm. This makes them very hard and much more durable than other pearls. South Sea pearls also have a unique satiny luster caused by the warm waters of their habitat. South Sea pearls also have a very beautiful array of colors like white, silver and gold that are rare in other pearls.

Another lesser known pearl is the Cortez pearl. One of Mexico's prized gemstones, Cortez pearls come fromt he warm waters of the Gulf of California. Cortez pearls come from two different species of oysters – the “Panamic Black-Lipped Oyster” and the “Rainbow-Lipped Oyster”. These oysters produce very unusual colors and a gorgeous iridescence unique to the Cortez pearl. It takes about 2 years to produce these beautiful pearls, but is definitely worth the wait.

Cortez pearls typically range in size from about 8mm to 14mm and have nacre about 0.8 millimeter to 2.3mm thick. Like the South Sea pearls, Cortez pearls are hard and more durable than their more classic counterparts. A unique feature of the Cortez pearl is its shape. Most Cortez pearls are irregular in shape, or Baroque. Cortez pearls can be round or near-round in shape but this is a very small percentage of any harvest. Color is another reason why these pearls are so loved. They have an intense rainbow-like opulence with colors ranging from cool whites to silver, bronze and black. The black Cortez pearls often have a “peacock” appearance with overtones of green, purple blue and gold.

Another of the lesser known pearls is the Keshi pearl. These pearls can be either freshwater or saltwater which is a rare characteristic. The way that Keshi pearls are created is an interesting process. When an oyster rejects and implanted nucleaus before the culturing process begins, a Keshi pearl is created. The pearl sacs eventually create a pearl without a nucleus. There is no nucleus to guide the growth and development of the Keshi pearl, so they are usually small and irregular in shape.

Keshi pearls, because of their origin, are 100% nacre. This causes the pearls to have a very high luster and come in a wide variety of colors. Many times, a Keshi pearl has a greater luster than the highest quality cultured pearls. When pearl farming began, Keshi pearls were abundant and created very unique pieces of jewelry. Today, Keshi pearls are much rarer because many pearl farms x-ray their oysters to determine if an oyster has rejected its implanted nucleus. One of the wonderful things about Keshi pearls however is their unpredictable shape. This irregular shape paired with a wide variety of colors from white to ivory, gold and black allows jewelers to create some truly unique pieces of jewelry.

If you are fortunate enough to examine many high -end, fine pearl necklaces, you probably have seen some of the highest quality akoya pearls in the industry.If you are new to pearls or simply haven't learned about how they are made, akoya pearls are created with a tiny material being inserted into the oyster. They generally are produced in Asian countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, Japan and China.Though Akoya pearls are produced throughout the world in such places like Australia, the countries such as China and Japan are known to be the largest producers of this magnificent gem.  These pearls are cultivated in the akoya oyster, scientifically known as the Pinctada fucata martensii.This type of pearl is farmed and gathered in China and Japan and are prized for their luster, shine and higher quality.Akoya pearls are often considered the classic pearl. They are the ones that are generally admired in stores. They are usually white with overtones of cream, rose or silver. 

Among all of the cultured pearls being cultivated and sold in the market, it is the akoya pearl that is preferred, sometimes considered the perfect pearl, for jewelry.The two main reasons are as follows

1) The akoya pearl is the smallest to be produced, with its size ranging from about 2 to 11 millimeters.

2) The akoya pearl tends to be consistently round or near-round, making them the ideal pearl to be used in jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces. 

As mentioned before, the two leading countries in the akoya pearl industry are Japan and China.  Japan was at first the major producer of akoya pearls in the world until China overtook her, the latter beginning it’s cultivation in the 1960s.  It was only until the late 1980s when China succeeded in becoming the number one producer of akoya pearls in the world market.  And because of the increasing competition, Japan pearl farmers have begun concentrating in cultivating actual large akoya pearls since high quality akoya pearls that are sized over 8 mm are very rare in China.

When choosing pearls, consider the size, luster, shape, smothness and type.

When you think of pearls, most often the picture that comes to mind is a tropical island with warm seas and a light breeze where the oysters would love to take refuge. There are many different types of pearls out there on the market, but the Akoya pearl is probably the most recognizable. The Akoya parls is a high luster white pearl that is used mostly for long strands.

The Akoya pearl does not come from the tropical island setting you might think of. It is cultured and farmed mainly in China and Japan. They get their name because they are nucleated in the Akoya oyster which is found off the shores of China and Japan. Akoya pearls tend to be fairly small because the Akoya oyster is small in comparison to other types of oysters. The pearls created by the Akoya oyster are typically white or cream, sometimes with overtones of rose or silver.

A benefit of smaller pearls is that they tend to be the most consistently round in shape. This makes them the perfect option for jewelers to match up to create long, beautiful strands of pearls. When shopping for pearl jewelry, if you come across a long pearl necklace or bracelet, you are most likely looking at Akoya pearls. This type of pearl is popular for its high luster, smooth, round shape, and affordability. Their white and rose color makes this type of pearl the perfect choice for someone with a fair complexion as the color will bring out subtle tones in the skin.

Because Akoya pearls are cultured and farmed in large batches, they tend to be quite affordable. China and Japan also have a competing market for these pearls which helps to keep the cost down. China has, in recent years, really taken a hold of the Akoya pearl market, creating pearls that rival the legendary quality that Japan calls its own. Because of this response from China, Japan has focused most of its attention on creating large Akoya pearls (over 8mm). Pearls larger than this in China are rare, so Japan has taken this opportunity to corner the market.

So, with all of this information, what should you look for when out shopping for pearl jewelry? It is very important to ask the jeweler a lot of questions about the pearls to ensure you are getting exactly what you want. It would behoove you to find out the origin of the pearl. Many times, freshwater pearls will be sold as cultured pearls and it’s important to know the difference. Freshwater pearls and Akoya pearls are both cultured, but in different ways. The Akoya pearl is cultured in saltwater, which gives them a very different appearance and are much more valuable than freshwater pearls.

The next piece of advice is to take the time to really inspect the pearls on a particular piece you are interested in. If you are looking at a strand of Akoya pearls, make sure it has a very high luster. Also, look to see if all of the pearls on the strand seem to match in shape and size. Next, look at the color of the pearls on the strand to make sure they all look similar. While inspecting the color, look for any blemishes to the pearls as this could decrease the value of the jewelry. The final thing to put on your pearl checklist is its overall appearance. Try on the bracelet or necklace in a mirror and see how it looks against your skin tone. If it looks good and you love it, then most likely you have found the perfect piece of pearl jewelry to take home!

When you think of pearls, most often the picture that comes to mind is a tropical island with warm seas and a light breeze where the oysters would love to take refuge. There are many different types of pearls out there on the market, but the Akoya pearl is probably the most recognizable. The Akoya pearl is the classic, high luster, white pearl used mostly for long strands of jewelry.

The Akoya pearl does not come from the tropical island setting you might think of. It is cultured and farmed mainly in China and Japan. They get their name because they are nucleated in the Akoya oyster which is found off the shores of China and Japan. Akoya pearls tend to be fairly small because the Akoya oyster is small in comparison to other types of oysters. The pearls created by the Akoya oyster are typically white or cream, sometimes with overtones of rose or silver.

A benefit of smaller pearls is that they tend to be the most consistently round in shape. Because of this, they are perfect for jewlers to match them up to create long strands of pearls. When shopping for pearl jewelry, if you come across a long pearl necklace or bracelet, you are most likely looking at Akoya pearls. This type of pearl is coveted for its high luster, smooth, round shape and affordability. Their white and rose color makes this type of pearl the perfect choice for someone with a fair complexion as the color will bring out subtle tones in the skin.

Because Akoya pearls are cultured and farmed in large batches, they tend to be quite affordable. China and Japan also have a competing market for these pearls which helps to keep the cost down. China has, in recent years, really taken a hold of the Akoya pearl market, creating pearls that rival the legendary quality that Japan calls its own. Because of this response from China, Japan has focused most of its attention on creating large Akoya pearls (over 8mm). It is rare to find pearls larger than this in China, so Japan has taken this opportunity to corner the market.

So, with all of this information, what should you look for when out shopping for pearl jewelry? It is very important to ask the jeweler a lot of questions about the pearls to ensure you are getting exactly what you want. It would behoove you to find out the origin of the pearl. Many times, freshwater pearls will be sold as cultured pearls and it’s important to know the difference. Akoya pearls and freshwater pearls are cultured, but inn different ways. The Akoya pearl is cultured in saltwater, which gives them a very different appearance and are much more valuable than freshwater pearls.

The next piece of advice is to take the time to really inspect the pearls on a particular piece you are interested in. If you are looking at a strand of Akoya pearls, make sure it has a very high luster. Also, look to see if all of the pearls on the strand seem to match in shape and size. Next, look at the color of the pearls on the strand to make sure they all look similar. While you're inspecting the color of the pearl, keep an eye out for blemishes that could decrease the value of the jewelry. The final thing to put on your pearl checklist is its overall appearance. Try on the necklace or bracelet and look at it against your skin tone and how it looks on you in a mirror. If you love it, you've probably found the perfect piece of pearl jewelry!

One of the first thing to learn about pearls is that there are two major categories - saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls. Besides the obvious differences, what are the underlying characteristics of each of these types of pearls? We will look at these types of pearls to get a better understanding of their differences.

When it comes to classifying saltwater pearls, it is most obviously any pearl created in a saltwater environment. Saltwater pearls come from oysters that are usually kept in lagoons or bays. There are three types of pearls most commonly created in saltwater – akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls. Most of the saltwater pearls found on the market today are cultured. Natural saltwater pearls are a rarity.

Now, what are some of the characteristics of saltwater pearls that differentiate them from freshwater? First, saltwater pearls tend to be more round than freshwater pearls. Because they are bead nucleated, saltwater perals are more symmetrical and round. Even though this nucleation process results in a nice round pearl, it gives them a hard bead center. This means that they do not have nacre as thick as freshwater pearls.

Saltwater oysters only create one pearl each, so they are more expensive than freshwater pearls. The benefit of this however is that saltwater pearls tend to be of a higher quality. Saltwater pearls also are known for their incredible luster, or shine. In a high quality saltwater pearl, you should be able to see your reflection. Their symmetry and shine makes them the perfect choice for a pearl necklace or bracelet, when many pearls are strung in a row.

Freshwater pearls have a reputation of being of a lower quality than saltwater pearls, mostly because they tend to be much more inexpensive. Creation and cultivation of freshwater pearls has come a long way however to let them compete more heavily with saltwater pearls. Freshwater mollousks live in lakes or ponds, and that is where freshwater pearls come from. Most of the world’s freshwater pearls are created and harvested in China and they have improved their methods over the years.

The first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks of freshwater pearls is their sometimes odd shape. Freshwater pearls can be found in many shapes such as drop, rice, round and semi-round which makes for some unique pieces of jewelry. The wide variety of colors that freshwater pearls can be is one of their main points of attraction. They can be found in white, cream, rose, blue and pretty much every color in-between. Many saltwater pearls cannot be found in these colors naturally. Now, while freshwater pearls come in many colors, they do not have the high shine that saltwater pearls have.

Freshwater pearls occur in nature differently than saltwater pearls. Instead of using a bead, a piece of tissue is used to nucleate the mussel. This is why freshwater pearls tend to be less symmetrical than saltwater pearls. The benefit of using tissue instead of bead is that the pearl is 100% nacre. This makes freshwater pearls much more durable to scratches and chipping. This tissue nucleation also makes a single mollusck capable of producing up to thirty pearls at one time.

It’s clear that there are major differences between saltwater and freshwater pearls. Each pearl has characteristics that give them their own unique appeal to consumers. The market for freshwater pearls is definitely on the rise as their quality and image improves. In the end, buying saltwater versus freshwater is really dependent on which qualities in a pearl are most important to you. Keep in mind that more expensive doesn’t always mean better. While saltwater pearls tend to be of a higher quality, freshwater pearls are on the move. You can easily find a beautiful and affordable necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings with high quality freshwater pearls. So, before heading out to the stores, decide what is important to you in a pearl and you will be sure to find the perfect piece!

Do you want your body be adorned fashionably as well as your clothes and other items? Aside from other well known ways of choosing accessories, may I suggest to you the beauty of pearls to make you more attractive. That does not require you to go against the pressure of the deep sea just to get Akoya pearls. There are wide array of cultured pearls sold in different stores and net sites that you can choose from. Before you rush into the stores selling pearls, follow along for you to find out how you can avoid purchasing pearls that are of low quality.

One quality that you should look into is the sizes of cultured pearls. Always remember that pearls are measured in millimeters. If large pearls attract you, shopping for them may take you a long time because they do not easily form while inside oyster or mussels. Size is a factor for determining the prices of pearls. Pearls with sizes below 7.5 are more affordable compared with those that have bigger sizes.

Aside from size, you should also look into the luster and surface of pearls. When looking at these qualities, choose pearls that reflect light very well because that is the indication that they have high luster. As to the surface, do not purchase pearls with blemished surfaces because they are certainly of low quality.

The quality of pearls is also determined by their roundness. To check this, try to perform an experiment as easy as rolling the strand on the table. Pearls that smoothly roll are definitely perfectly round.

In addition to roundness, consider the thickness of pearls. Determining this quality is difficult, hence ask for help from an expert when looking into this quality. Cultured pearls are formed by implanting pearl beads on oysters or mussels and were left in water for years. This process will enable the pearls to have thick coating of solid nacre which is the outer layer of pearls. Do not invest in cultured pearls implanted with plastic or glass beads because they easily peel off.

Moreover, look into the uniformity of pearls, that is, the pearls in a piece of jewelry must be of the same size, color and luster. Of course, you won’t want to see yourself wearing a piece of jewel with pearls of different sizes, color and luster. 

When you choose stores where you can buy pearls, beware of manufacturers who attach imperfect pearls near the clasp. When you pick pearls with best color, choose those that match your skin tone.

These great tips will be valuable for you to end up having the best cultured pearls of your taste. Bearing in mind all these pieces of advice and facts will definitely guide you to the best pearls currently available. Click on shopping sites now where you can find a wide array of cultured pearls being sold.

When you shut your eyelids and envision a pearl necklace, what do you see? Chances are, it is a perfectly matched strand of round, lustrous pearls- and if so, the image that comes to mind is the famous Akoya pearl! Ever since Mikimoto revolutionized the glamorous world of jewelry by commercializing the first cultured Akoya pearls, this lovely and luminous gem has gained attention and won the hearts of all cultures around the world.

The cultured pearl was born out of Japan during the 1900’s as the result of many years of conducting trials and tests by three Japanese men: Nishikawa Mikimoto, Tatsuhei Mise and Tokishi Nishikawa. Experimenting independently on various nucleation methods with the Pinctada martensii oyster (the indigenous saltwater oyster that produces Akoya pearls) the researchers each discovered the surgical nucleation techniques that will force the oyster to create a pearl- this is the same technique used now by nucleation technicians worldwide, known as the Nise-Mishekawa method. However, Mikimoto was the person who intuitively used his business proess to gain worldwide attention and has made a worldwide brand based off of his name.

For decades the Japanese maintained a monopoly on the Akoya pearl trade, guarding their cultivation and processing techniques jealously. They were- and are- acknowledged as the masters of their trade; to this day the Japanese Akoya pearl is considered the finest in the world. Harvest periods (the amount of time that the oyster was allowed to secrete nacre over the nucleus) were approximately 3-5 years per pearl, ensuring thick, lustrous nacre layers that gave the pearls their renowned glow and shine. It also made them much more durable and able to resist wear on the nacre brought about by exposure to cosmetics, sweat, acids and perfumes.

However, as with any monopoly, the hey-day would not last forever. In order to satisfy a continually mounting demand for their beautiful pearls- which had quickly staked their place as a staple of every woman’s wardrobe throughout the 1940’s and 50’s- the Japanese began cutting their growth times in order to accommodate the burgeoning market’s requirements, and quality began to suffer. Other factors such as water pollution and farmed oyster stocks that have become vulnerable to disease through decreased genetic diversity also play a large part in the weakening of the Japanese grip on the international Akoya pearl market. With an eye toward the future, the Japanese have begun to culture larger pearls measuring over 8.0mm almost exclusively, focusing their efforts on maintaining their position as a leader, and the best source for gem-quality cultured pearls today.

China began culturing Akoya pearls as well starting in the 1960’s, although quality was acknowledged to be quite inferior to that of their Japanese neighbors. However, the Chinese pearl farmers learned what it took to become successful in an industry that was considered to be unshakeable. Concentrating their efforts on perfecting the smaller pearl sizes of 4.0mm to 8.0mm- as they have not yet mastered culturing the larger sizes that Japan is renowned for.  Utilizing their vastly cheaper production costs than that of Japan, and adopting a wiser, more long-term approach in terms of pearl quality and reputation, China has found their way to the top in the pearling world.