How do 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.

Are Akoya pearls marked?

As mentioned earlier, Mother Nature always leaves a mark on her creations. There are a number of common growth characteristics and surface inclusions you can regularly spot on almost any necklace that are typical of the Akoya pearl type. These markings are a practical and easy way to: A.

What does an Akoya pearl look like?

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.

How can you tell the difference between Akoya and freshwater pearls?

Both the Akoya and Freshwater pearls differ mainly in their luster. When comparing the luster, the Akoya pearls have a brilliant superficial luster than the Freshwater pearls. Another difference that can be seen between the two pearls is that the fresh water pearls have thicker nacre than the Akoya pearls.

How do I know what pearls I have?

Rub the pearls against your front teeth.

Rub them against your teeth with a side-to-side motion. A real pearl will usually have a slightly rough or gritty texture from tiny scale-like imperfections in its outer layers of nacre. Fake pearls made from glass or plastic will usually be almost perfectly smooth.

Freshwater Pearls vs Sea Pearls (Akoya Pearls)

What is the difference between Akoya and South Sea pearls?

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.

What color pearl is the most valuable?

The larger size makes South Sea pearls and black pearls the most valuable type of pearl. On Mikimoto's website, this strand of South Sea cultured pearls is selling for $32,000. The other notable difference between pearl types is the color.

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.

Is Akoya pearl better than freshwater pearl?

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.

Are Akoya pearls freshwater pearls?

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.

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.

Are Akoya pearls a good investment?

Top quality Akoya pearls can command high prices, sometimes ranging at thousands of dollars. The price of Akoya jewelry is also dependent on the quality of the settings and workmanship. Akoya pearls are the most affordable of the saltwater pearl varieties but are much more expensive than freshwater pearls.

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.

What grade are Akoya pearls?

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).

How can I tell if my pearls are Mikimoto?

How do I know that my pearl jewelry is authentic Mikimoto? Mikimoto jewelry is identified by the Mikimoto trademark, showing as the outline of an oyster or the engraving of the Mikimoto name. On necklaces and bracelets, look on the back of the clasp.

What does the name Akoya mean?

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

Which pearls are the most valuable?

South Sea pearls are considered the most valuable. They are also the largest pearl variety on the market. A strand of South Sea pearls can range from $1,000 to over $100,000.

How can you tell if a pearl is natural or cultured?

The Tooth Test: Simply rub the pearl against your tooth, softly. If the pearl is natural or cultured, you will feel the surface as gritty. If the pearl is a faux gem, then the surface will feel smooth. FACT: While observing pearls under a magnifier, specialists can easily tell whether they are a fake or a real gem.

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.

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.

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.

Do pearls have resale value?

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.