What are Akoya pearls?

The akoya pearl is a saltwater cultured pearl from the akoya oyster (Pinctada

Pinctada

At danger from the large demand for pearls, the typical lifespan of a pearl oyster is usually around 3 years to 14 years. Pinctada maxima are seeded at about 2 years of age and take 2 years to fully develop a pearl. They can be reseeded up to 3 or 4 times. Akoya pearls are harvested after about 9 to 16 months.

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Pinctada - Wikipedia

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

Why are Akoya pearls so expensive?

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.

What's the difference between Akoya pearls and freshwater pearls?

Akoya are the roundest and most lustrous pearls in the world. These saltwater pearls come from oysters inhabiting the oceans of the world. Freshwater Pearls - Freshwater pearls, on the other hand, are the product of mussels that inhabit freshwater lakes and rivers.

What is the highest quality pearl?

White South Sea and Golden South Sea pearls are the most sought-after cultured versions of the gems in the world. That's because they are the rarest, and offer the most luster and greatest pearls sizes. Both Golden South Sea and White South Sea pearls are cultivated in saltwater.

Are Akoya pearls valuable?

While the akoya pearl is considered to be (overall) more rare and valuable than the freshwater pearl, it is only the third most valuable commercially produced pearl, falling behind South Sea and Tahitians. It is still common to find top-quality akoya pearl strands retailing for more than $10,000, however.

What to look for in Akoya Pearls

Are Tiffany pearls worth it?

Are Tiffany Pearls Good Quality? Definitely! Tiffany's sell some VERY high-quality pearls, and their jewelry craftsmanship is impeccable. Their Tahitian and South Sea pearl jewelry offerings are nothing less than gorgeous.

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.

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.

Are old pearls worth anything?

The value of a pearl can vary dramatically depending on many factors, such as pearl type, size, color, surface quality, and more. A wild pearl will be worth more than a cultured pearl. So, how much are pearls worth? To keep it short, on average, a pearl's value ranges from $300 to $1500.

What does the name Akoya mean?

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

Which is better saltwater or freshwater pearls?

Traditionally, freshwater pearls are usually more durable than saltwater pearls. This is because the nacre used to create these pearls is way thicker than the nacre found in saltwater pearls. So, if you're planning on wearing your pearls regularly, freshwater is probably the better option.

Do pearls last forever?

As mentioned, pearls are ranked 2.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale which means that a pearl is considered a soft gem and can easily be scratched. But with adequate care, pearl jewelry can last for a lifetime and be passed down through generations. The good news is that special care is not hard to do.

Are Akoya pearls quality?

Akoya pearls are usually remarkably well-matched, with little to no visible variation in overtone, luster or surface quality from pearl to pearl throughout a necklace. Akoya pearls feature a white body color, with subtle overtones of rose, silver or cream. Hanadama pearls are widely considered the "ferrari of pearls".

How do you take care of Akoya pearls?

What color is Akoya pearl?

Some Akoya pearls feature white color with rose overtones or silver overtones, gray with blue overtones, or any number of other combinations. It takes several months for cultured pearls to develop, and each has its own distinct beauty.

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 pearls a good investment?

High-Quality Pearls are a Wearable investment

While you might think that gold and silver is an obvious choice when buying investment jewelry, pearls are an excellent alternative. In recent years auction houses such as Christie's have sold pearl jewelry far exceeding the value of other gemstones.

How can you tell a good quality pearl?

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 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 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.

Why is Mikimoto so expensive?

Mikimoto grades their pearls: A, A+, AA and AAA Quality, which is their highest/best pearl grade. Their AAA Quality Akoya are so rare, and so expensive, that there are only one or two strands produced each year.

How do you tell if your 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.

Is Mikimoto a luxury brand?

Mikimoto is an international luxury company, recognized as the first producer of cultured pearl jewelry. The worldwide brand is known for its superior craftsmanship, design and strict quality control.