Why are Akoya pearls more expensive?

This simple biological difference between the two mollusks creates a HUGE difference in yearly pearl harvest volume, making saltwater Akoya pearls the rarer of the two, thus more expensive.

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.

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.

Is Akoya pearl worth it?

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 is the difference between Akoya and fresh water 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.

Freshwater Pearls vs Sea Pearls (Akoya Pearls)

What does the name Akoya mean?

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

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 is the highest quality pearl?

What is the most expensive pearl?

The most expensive natural pearl ever sold was Marie Antoinette's pendant. It went for $32 million in a 2018 Sotheby's auction.

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 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 is the difference between cultured and Akoya pearls?

Unlike the normal freshwater cultured pearls, Freshwater AK pearls are bead-nucleated culture pearl, which is the same as Akoya pearl. 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.

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?

PEARL BLEACHING

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. The pearls are placed in the solution for a long period of time which changes the overall color of the organic pearl.

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.

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).

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 Mikimoto pearls always knotted?

They are 6mm pearls about 16" long with a sterling pearl clasp. The pearls are not knotted in between each, just strung. There is no "M" stamp or any other mark indicating that it is a Mikimoto besides the papers that came with it. It is in a Mikimoto original box.

Are oysters alive when you open them for pearls?

Oysters that can produce pearls only once could be released back to the oceans but they are rather killed and sold for their meat and other parts. And the ones that could be nucleated again might die by accident when the pearl is cut out.

Are old pearls worth anything?

The sad reality is that old, second-hand cultured pearls aren't worth a lot. There's no obvious place to sell them and you won't get much from a jeweller or by putting them on eBay. Our advice is to keep them as a memento or give them to someone who'll appreciate them.

What are fake pearls called?

Fake pearls are also called “faux”, “costume” or “imitation”. They can be made of glass, plastic, or fish-scale imitations. For example, "majorica pearls" are a form of fake pearls. There is nothing in them that rightly allow them to be called pearls.