Why are Akoya pearls special?

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.

Are Akoya pearls better?

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.

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.

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".

Are Akoya pearls better than freshwater pearls?

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.

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.

Do Akoya pearls peel?

If an Akoya pearl has many blemishes, it will be worth less than one with few to no blemishes. This is because blemishes can affect the durability of a pearl. Serious blemishes, such as cracks or chips can cause a pearl to peel or break.

Are Akoya pearls fresh or saltwater?

According to the Gemological Association of America (GIA), “Akoya cultured pearls are the most familiar type of saltwater cultured pearls to most people in the U.S. and other western markets.” Akoya pearls are typically the first pearl strand a woman receives or the first pair of pearl earrings with which she starts ...

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 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.

Which type of pearl is most expensive?

South Sea Pearls Value

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.

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.

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.

How do you take care of Akoya pearls?

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 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.

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.

Why can't pearls get wet?

Pearl necklaces are typically strung in silk thread, and getting them wet can weaken the thread, so again, leave them out of the shower!

Which is better freshwater or saltwater pearls?

Saltwater pearls have a more brilliant shine and luster than freshwater pearls and are more expensive. Pearl facts: After implanting the seed pearl, oysters are tended to by divers as they grow. The color of the pearl depends mainly on the color of the oyster shell itself.

How rare is finding a pearl in an oyster?

Today, natural pearls are extremely rare. Only 1 in about 10,000 wild oysters will yield a pearl and of those, only a small percentage achieve the size, shape and colour desirable to the jewellery industry.

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.

Do real pearls flake?

Unfortunately, because pearls are delicately formed layers of calcium, they can flake if they're damaged. To prevent your precious pearls from peeling, keep them away from harsh chemicals or cosmetics and don't allow the pearls to rub against each other.

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.