Akoya Pearls are celebrated for their sparkling luster & subtle colors. Flaunting an assortment of colors from rose & silvery-white to cream, bluish-grey or gold, they are the most fashionable saltwater pearls of the world. Their good looks make them an instant favorite of women all over the world. In fact, if you happen to have a classic pair of pearl earrings or a pearl necklace, they are probably set with Akoya pearls. These pearls are smallish in size, ranging from two mm to ten mm.
9 mm Akoya Cultured Pearl and 0.33 carat total weight diamond accent Earring in 14KT White Gold |
9 mm Akoya Cultured Pearl and 0.25 carat total weight diamond accent Earring in 14KT White Gold |
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Akoya Pearls take birth inside the shells of the smallest commercially farmed, pearl-producing oysters on the planet. The oysters are mostly cultured in the calm ocean waters of Japan. In this region, the sea is calm with few large waves. Mild temperatures do not exceed fifteen to twenty-three degrees Celsius.
9 mm Akoya Cultured Pearl and 0.15 carat total weight diamond accent Earring in 14KT White Gold
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The suitable oceanic climates nurture slower and very compact deposits of nacre. Besides, colder water temperatures positively impact the crystal structure of the nacre making it more lustrous than the nacre of cultured pearls grown elsewhere. Luster and color are a property of nacre and its compact layers impart brilliant mirror-like luster and rich colors to the resulting pearls. These very qualities make Akoya pearls extremely desirable.
9 mm Akoya Cultured Pearl and 0.15 carat total weight diamond accents Earring in 14KT White Gold |
9 mm Akoya Cultured Pearl and 0.25 carat total weight diamond accent Earring in 14KT White Gold |
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The story of Akoya pearls is intricately linked with the name of Kokichi Mikimoto. He is indisputably recognized as the maker of the first-ever cultured pearl of the world. Mikimoto successfully created the world’s first cultured Akoya pearl in 1893. He mimicked nature and introduced an irritant into an oyster. The oyster coated the irritant with nacre and a cultured pearl was born.
8mm Akoya Freshwater Cultured White Pearl Solid 14k Rose Gold Diamond Antique Engagement Ring
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Kokichi Mikimoto nurtured a dream of “adorning the necks of all women around the world with pearls.” He was also devoted to protecting and propagating stocks of native akoya oysters depleted by over-harvesting of natural pearls. Harboring these twin objectives, Kokichi Mikimoto became passionately obsessed with the idea of producing cultured pearls. He researched tirelessly remaining undaunted in the face of financial difficulties and many setbacks including devastating red algae blooms. Finally, on July 11, 1893 he became the first person in the world to successfully culture a semi-spherical pearl inside the amazing Japanese Akoya oysters. It all happened on the island of Ojima near Toba. Today, the site is called the Mikimoto Pearl Island.
7-7.5mm White Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearl Bracelets |
Dyed Black Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearl Strand Bracelet 7 |
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In addition to Japan, Akoya pearls are now farmed in China and to a lesser extent, Vietnam, Thailand and Australia. Nevertheless, Japan is the undisputed Akoya pearl producing hub of the world.
The cultivated pearls have the same chemical composition & properties as those forming naturally in the deep sea. The human hand only initiates the natural process after which mother nature takes over.
14k Yellow Gold 7-8mm White Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearl Bracelet 7inch for Women
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Also, like it happens in nature, not all cultured Akoya pearls are perfectly round and lustrous gems. Development of pearls is a long drawn process taking anywhere between ten and eighteen months. More than half of the nucleated Akoya oysters perish during the time. Of the remaining that survive and are harvested, less than five per cent of the produced pearls are deemed good enough to be used in jewelry. What’s more every harvest produces a percentage of baroque and keshi pearls, which have the bright luster & color akin to akoya, but a shape reminiscent of a freshwater or baroque South Sea pearl. The pearls selected for adorning jewelry are of astounding quality.
Natural Akoya Cultured Pearl Solid 14k Yellow Gold Women Bracelet Bangle Infinity Thin Chain 5mm Round
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Mikimoto’s legacy lives on till today through the Japanese jewelry house that bears his name. The Akoya pearl holds a special place in the hearts of staff working at Mikimoto since it was the pearl that started Kokichi Mikimoto’s pearl cultivation enterprise.
18K Gold AAAA Quality White Akoya Pearl Earrings 2.5mm Round Pearl Ear Stud For Women |
18K Gold Round Akoya Cultured Pearl Earring AAA Quality 3.5mm Saltwater Pearl Stud For Women |
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Being very high quality pearls, Akoya’s are set with gold clasps & posts. In a single piece of jewelry, they will be well matched for size, shape & color. The pearls have few blemishes if any and sport a deep and beautiful luster.
Akoya Cultured Freshwater Pearl Solid 14k Rose Gold Stud Earrings Women Dangle Drop 8mm Round |
Akoya Cultured Freshwater White Pearl Solid 14k Yellow Gold Women Dangle Drop Stud Earrings 7.5mm Round |
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Akoya pearls suit everyone regardless of skin-color or age. They manage to look sophisticated and youthful at the same time. The sunny pearls look good on their own in a piece of jewelry like a pair of classic stud pearl earrings. They look equally good when complimented with colored gemstones or white-diamonds. The Akoya pearl continues to remain a symbol of pure elegance & beauty.
14K Gold 8-8.5mm Round Genuine White Akoya Cultured Pearl and Diamond Callie Ring for Women |
14k Gold Crown Design 8mm Akoya Pearl Ring size 7.5 Pendant Accessory Bride Wedding Jewelry |
14K Gold 8.5-9mm Round Genuine White Akoya Cultured Pearl & Diamond Crown Ring for Women |
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Double Strand Akoya Pearl Necklace 8.5mm
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See Also:
Pearls
| Pearls | Baroque Pearls |
| Akoya Pearls | South Sea Pearls |
| Tahitian Pearls |
