Are Akoya pearls bleached?

Unfortunately, the pearls called "Natural White Akoya" are too much bleached than other normal (tinted) pearls to make them sparkling white. This means the nacres (pearl layers) are damaged by hydrogen peroxide water. So those pearls are easy to discolor than normal pearls.

Is bleaching common for Akoya pearls?

PEARL BLEACHING

Bleaching is used on Pearls to make whiter more vibrant pearl. Many pearls from Japan and the Chinese Akoya pearls are almost always bleached. The bleached used is usually a hydrogen peroxide solution which is heated.

Why are pearls bleached?

While white is a naturally occurring color in freshwater and akoya pearls, these types are routinely bleached to create an even whiter bodycolor, and then subjected to a treatment known as pinking. The latter treatment adds the slight rosé tone found in nearly all akoya pearls. These are universal treatments.

How are Akoya pearls dyed?

The dyeing process takes a few days to complete, and basically involves soaking the half or fully-drilled pearls in the black dye solution until it penetrates all the nacre layers. The results can be colorful and highly iridescent, or solid black colors, depending on the type of dye used.

How can you tell if you have Akoya pearls?

For Akoya pearls, you'll mainly notice pin prick blemishes, lighter or darker areas of organic conchiolin build up visible just under the surface crystal, and small, white wrinkles in the surface nacre. Freshwater Pearl Inclusions are mostly dull white "chalky spots" and subtle ridges on the pearl surfaces.

Akoya Pearls: AA+ vs. AAA Grade

Can you shower with Akoya pearls?

While there's some truth to this, it's an oversimplification. Pearls can get wet — after all, they were “born” under water! Water will not hurt your pearls. However, there are two risks when it comes to wearing your akoya pearl jewelry in the shower.

Are Akoya pearls worth anything?

It is still common to find top-quality akoya pearl strands retailing for more than $10,000, however. This would be average for a Tahitian strand and low for a South Sea, but much higher than a comparable freshwater pearl necklace.

Do Akoya pearls change color?

Like many things in life, pearls age. As these precious gems age, they go through a natural process that changes the composition of the organic substances that make them up. This causes them to change color. Yellow pearls typically indicate that pearls are real since artificial pearls don't normally change color.

How do you tell if pearls have been dyed?

Look at the drilled hole of a pearl. If the nucleus looks dark and nacre inside looks white, the pearl is dyed. The other clue that indicates dyed pearl is dye concentrating around the drill hole or on some spot of pearl surface. Observe the pearl color carefully.

What colors do Akoya pearls come in?

Color and surface

Akoya pearls occur naturally in colors such as pink, silver, cream, white, gold, gray and blue. They rarely occur in black, green or other exotic colors — if you see Akoya pearls in these colors, be sure to ask the seller if the color is enhanced.

Are yellowed pearls worth anything?

Yellow vs Yellowed Pearls

Pearls come in a range of colors, including yellow and golden. They have been cultivated to acquire this color and are sold as yellow pearls. These pearls are beautiful in their own right and are highly valuable and sought after.

Are cultured pearls bleached?

With the exception of most South Sea cultured pearls and American freshwater cultured pearls, the majority of the white pearls on the market are bleached — although the treatment is rarely disclosed.

What is the most valuable pearl color?

The 22K to 24K Golden tone is a "Very Deep" natural Golden color. Golden South Sea pearls featuring the 22K to 24K hues are the rarest and most valuable (all other factors being equal). Champagne Golden South Sea pearls are very rare. The Champagne color is a mix of very pale, 10K gold, Silver and Rose hues.

What is special about Akoya pearls?

The Akoya pearl is known for its superb luster and its perfectly round shape. Akoyas also have a beautiful color consistency, making them often the pearl of choice for a woman's first strand of pearls.

How do you whiten yellowed pearls?

How to clean pearls that have yellowed. White pearls can yellow over time, but it is possible to brighten them up again. The acetone in nail polish remover can whiten old pearls and clean away stubborn stains.

Can you use olive oil on pearls?

To shine pearls, you can put a few drops of olive oil, coconut oil or monoi oil on the pearls, and then wipe them with a soft cloth to remove the excess oil. Pearls should be stored separately from other jewelry.

How do you remove dye from pearls?

If you over color your pearls, use a fabric color remover to remove the dye. Re-dye the pearls until they come out just right. When the pearls have reached the color you desire, rinse them thoroughly with water until the water runs clear. Let the pearls dry for at least one day before handling them.

Do real pearls have a coating on them?

Although they didn't start naturally, cultured pearls are real, with outer coatings of the same material, and like natural ones, they take years to form.

Will dyed pearls fade?

The dyes used to color pearls can fade over time. Because pearls are porous, they often absorb human oils, makeup and perfume, which can stain and alter the color of the pearls and the dyes used to color them.

What is best color for Akoya pearls?

Akoya Pearl Colors

The most famous and traditional Akoya pearl color is White, which itself is tinged with three pearl overtones of either Rose (pronounced rosé), Silver or Cream/Ivory. Other natural Akoya pearl colors are blue, silvery-blue and rarely, shimmering shades of Gold and Yellow.

What is the difference between Akoya and freshwater pearls?

And the big difference between freshwater pearl and Akoya pearl is that the former one is cultivated in freshwater mussels and the other one is cultivated in saltwater oysters. Akoya pearl is a bead-nucleated cultured pearl cultivated from Akoya oysters that growing in the saltwater.

Do pearls lose their luster if not worn?

That pearls "die" in obscurity and retain their luster and value when worn frequently, is a fact that has always to be borne in mind by the owners of jewels.

How do you clean Akoya pearls?

Clean this gem after every use to ensure that any dirt or chemicals accumulated on its surface are completely removed. The best way to do this is to simply wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth. Finally, get your Akoya pearl jewelry cleaned and checked by a professional at least once a year.

Are Akoya pearls cheaper in Japan?

A strand might cost about $2,000, much cheaper than the bigger and rarer black-lip pearls, which can run $20,000 a strand. But a pendant with a single akoya pearl set in silver can run around $250 at Mikimoto in Tokyo. As a keepsake from Japan, it might make an investment worth keeping.

How do you take care of Akoya pearls?