What is an Akoya Pearl? And Why Are Akoya Pearls So Special? - Assael (2024)

FAQs

Are Akoya pearls worth the money? ›

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.

An important factor to look out for is the thickness of the nacre as this determines the pearl's luster. Only the Akoya cultured pearls with the highest quality and luster can be bestowed with the name “Mikimoto Pearl.”

The akoya pearl is a saltwater cultured pearl from the akoya oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii). Because akoya are the most abundant type of saltwater pearl with the longest cultured history, information on akoyas is abundant!

Akoya pearls are known for their color, shape and most of all their luster. Luster is the quantity and quality of light that reflects from the surface of the pearl. This is the most important factor in choosing an akoya pearl necklace. It's what makes the pearls shine.

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.

One of the simplest and easiest ways to tell if your Akoya pearl is real or not is to do something called “the tooth test”. All you have to do is softly rub the pearl against your tooth. If the pearl is natural or cultured, the texture you will feel will be gritty and rough.

Hanadama pearls are widely considered the "ferrari of pearls". A top quality Hanadama pearl necklace is about as good as it gets. The typical size range of Akoya pearls ranges from 6mm - 9.5mm, with 7.5-8.0mm being the most popular pearl sizes.

Cultured Akoya pearls are graded using the Japanese Pearl Grading System, using the A-AAA Scale with the addition of Hanadama Akoya pearls representing the highest pinnacle of the pearl type. The A-AAA system evaluates pearls according to Surface Quality, Luster, and perfection of Shape (roundness and symmetry).

The benefits of wearing pearls are endless, from improving their quality to elevating a simple outfit with very little effort. As such, we'd encourage you to wear your pearls as much as you can – every day if you wish!

If possible, store them wrapped in a soft cloth or in a soft-lined container, pouch, or jewelry box, but not in an airtight container because the pearls need to "breathe". It is strongly recommended not to get your pearls wet by either showering or swimming (ocean, swimming pool or Jacuzzi hot tubs).

Which is better pearl Akoya or South Sea? ›

South Sea Pearls of 9.5 – 10.5 mm sizes are more common. But the smaller Akoya oyster has a hard time producing a pearl as large as 9.5 – 10.5 mm, making these pearls much rarer, hence the higher price. Akoya Pearls are preferred for someone wanting a bright white/pink lustrous strand in this “overlap” size range.

New Word Suggestion. The Japanese term for natural or cultured pearls that come from the akoya-gai mollusk.

The luster of good quality pearls is sharp and bright. You should be able to see your reflection clearly on the surface of a pearl. Any pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky, is of low quality.

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.

Naturally colored blue pearls are the rarest pearl colors in the world (with one or two exceptions, which we will get to below). The color has existed in pearls for decades, but only recently have naturally colored blue pearls gained popularity in the modern pearl jewelry markets.

Akoya and freshwater pearls are both cultured pearls. Akoya pearls come from saltwater oysters, while freshwater pearls come from mussels in rivers and lakes. Check the size and shape—Akoya pearls are smaller and rounder than freshwater pearls, which tend to be larger and slightly irregular.

Akoya Pearl Prices Range from $100 - $10,000

Akoya pearls tend to be the smaller-sized pearls of all the major pearl types, and range in size from 4.0mm at their smallest to 9.5mm and rarely 10.0mm at their very largest and rarest size.

These oysters are found in copious quantities in many parts of the world. However, in most cases, Akoya pearls are cultivated primarily in the ocean waters off the coasts of Japan and China. Saltwater pearls, especially the Akoya variant, are held in high regard around the world.

Mother-of-pearl is the iridescent inside lining of a mollusk shell. It is most commonly found in three types of mollusks—pearl oysters, freshwater mussels, and abalone.

Did you know that pearls can change colors? It's something that can happen over time. White pearls slowly turn yellow as they age. Many people don't understand how this happens, or how to prevent it.

Is Akoya and Mikimoto the same? ›

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.

Mikimoto has its own proprietary grading system for their pearls, and only carries pearls with excellent luster and thick, fine quality nacre. Mikimoto's Japanese Akoya pearls are sourced from the top 5% of each yearly harvest, and then sorted into their various grades from there.

South Sea. South Sea pearls are often referred to as the Rolls Royce of pearls. They are the largest and most valuable pearls grown today, with average sizes ranging from 10 to 15 millimeters. South Sea pearls grow in a large pearl oyster native to Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia.

How do I know that my pearl jewelry is Mikimoto? You can always identify Mikimoto jewelry by our trademark, which is either the outline of an oyster or the Mikimoto name engraved on every piece. This engraved mark can be found in the following locations: Necklaces and bracelets: back of clasp.

Akoya pearls are known around the world as having the highest quality luster of all pearl types. The luster is so sharp, shiny and reflective that Akoya pearls are often described as having “Mirror-sharp” or “Ball-bearing” luster.

Leaving pearl jewelry in a security box for long periods may cause pearls to dehydrate, so enjoy them frequently. There is a saying that “pearls want to be worn,” and it is true.

Do not submerge your pearls in water - no showers, no dishes, no swimming. The chlorine in the water will eat away at the epoxy securing the pearls to their mountings, and soaking the silk your pearls are strung on causes it to stretch out and break early.

The etiquette on wearing a pearl necklace during the day, traditionally, is to wear a single pearl stand with a blouse. Over the years, as with so many things, the rules have gone out the window and pearls are no exception! The joy of owning pearl necklaces is that they really do with everything, on every occassion.

The Akoya is a truly classic pearl. It is known for its incredibly high luster. The higher the luster, the more valuable the pearl. So, when shopping for Akoya pearls, be sure to try the pearls on.

South Sea Pearls are the most prized cultured pearls in the world. They're farmed in the largest pearl oyster Pinctada maxima in Australia, Burma, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Is Akoya and mikimoto the same? ›

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.

Elizabeth loved the three-strand pearl necklace so much that she had an identical one made. In 1953, a third three-stand pearl necklace joined her collection. It was a gift from Emir of Qatar and the only difference among the three was that this version sported a diamond clasp.

Akoya Pearl Prices Range from $100 - $10,000

Akoya pearls tend to be the smaller-sized pearls of all the major pearl types, and range in size from 4.0mm at their smallest to 9.5mm and rarely 10.0mm at their very largest and rarest size.

Fake pearls will often look flat or even “painted”. High quality pearls will have a deep luster, almost glowing from within. This is the difference between a shiny marble and a pearl's luster that shows depth.