Akoya Pearls - Quality Generally speaking, Japanese Akoya pearls are higher quality than Chinese Akoyas. They also have higher luster and thicker nacre than Chinese Akoya pearls. Higher quality pearls originate from Japan since, as of now, the latter still hold the best processing techniques.
Most pearls are white to grey, with pink, green, or silver overtones. Occasionally, akoya pearls are blue with silver and pink overtones, but these colors are extremely rare. Akoya pearls are never naturally black – black akoya pearls have undergone either Cobalt-60 radiation treatment or treatment with an organic dye.
This is the most popular type of pearl because of its accessible price and its impeccable quality. Chinese Akoya pearls are affordable, however, their beauty is not compromised. With a high luster, these quickly grown pearls are the ideal choice for everyday wear.
The recent global economic crisis had a large effect on the Chinese pearl industry. The overproduction of low-quality freshwater cultured pearls coupled with low demand and spiralling prices for these pearls, has meant that many pearl farmers could no longer cover their production costs.
– Australia: home to some of the finest quality pearls in the world, with a variety of colors ranging from white to black. The Australian pearl industry is worth an estimated $500 million per year.
Higher quality pearls originate from Japan since, as of now, the latter still hold the best processing techniques. These include better cleaning, bleaching, treating, sorting and matching. It might be useful to remember here that while China produces lower quality pearls, not all pearls from Japan are of high quality.
Traditionally White Colors: the Akoya pearl offers many other color varieties other than white, but the most sought after pearl color is the traditional white hue, tinged with overtones of rose, silver and cream.
Mikimoto Pearls is a brand name of a jeweler that specializes in creating pearl jewelry from Akoya pearls. The company pioneered cultured pearls in 1893 and is now the biggest name in luxurious, high-quality jewelry featuring cultured pearls.
Akoya pearls are the preeminent cultured pearls. They are the pearls that the Mikimoto brand popularized. Prized by royalty and pearl connoisseurs for centuries, Akoya pearls have long been coveted for their perfectly round shape, richness, and deep luster.
Valuable Pearl Attributes
Because Akoya pearls have become The Standard when it comes to the classic white pearl necklace, and meet the higher quality standards for pearls (particularly in the Luster and Shape category), they are more highly valued by consumers and the Professional Jewelry market.
Fine South Sea Baroque Pearls are much more valuable and desirable than Baroque Akoya Pearls. Because of the large size difference in the two primary varieties, a South Sea Baroque Pearl is more likely to have a critical mass of lustrous surface.
Pearls with particular brand names will also retain (and even increase) their value over the years; vintage Mikimoto Akoya pearls that still have their original clasp, box and papers to establish provenance are very highly sought after today and continue to fetch premium resale values.
As such, we'd encourage you to wear your pearls as much as you can – every day if you wish! If you do wear your pearl necklaces often, it's a good idea to have them restrung annually as the inner thread will start to deteriorate over time.
Not only can pearls be damaged by water, but there are other hazards that can affect pearls in the shower. For example, the soap, shampoo, conditioner, or oils you use in the shower contain chemicals that can further damage your pearl jewelry. In general, it's not a good idea to wear your pearl jewelry in the shower .
Until recently, all Akoya pearls originated from Japan as no other country could produce the equivalent quality. Today, Chinese pearl farmers have bred their oyster with the Akoya oyster and are now producing Akoya cultured pearls from China. Fine-quality Chinese pearls are primarily only available in smaller sizes.
THE SCIENCE – Akoya Pearl Facts
Akoya cultured pearls form in the Pinctada Fucata oyster. These oysters are thriving in the hidden bays off the coast of Japan in the cold saltwater of the Pacific Ocean. All Assael Akoya pearls come from Japan.
Mikimoto Pearl Company is THE most iconic pearl jewelry company in the world. The name is synonymous with the Japanese Akoya pearl type, but that is not all they offer.
When compared to other varieties, such as Tahitian and South Sea, Akoya pearls definitely offer good value for money without compromising on beauty. Freshwater pearls lack the deep, beautiful gleam of an Akoya. However, the palette of colors and attractive pricing makes them a great option for many people.
The lip determines the pearl color. While the white pearls are also priced by jewelers, the gold pearl variety is the most coveted color. The gold South sea pearl's color can range from creamy white to deep gold, and the darker the color, the more expensive it becomes.
Fine Akoya pearl jewelry should all be matched to near-perfection with little to no variation in size, shape, body color, overtone, luster and surface quality.
A Chinese half-inch pearl now sells for $4 to $8 at wholesale, which is typically less than half of the retail price. A Tahitian pearl of similar size sells at wholesale for $25 to $35. The price gap reflects lingering differences in hue and luster.
Tahitian pearls were once the rarest, most valuable cultured pearls in the world. They are still much more valuable than freshwater and akoya pearls, but the farming enterprises are no longer relegated to small groups of atolls.