Pearls can bring to mind tropical islands surrounded by warm seas where oysters are in abundance. There are many different types of pearls out there on the market, but the Akoya pearl is probably the most recognizable. The Akoya parls is a high luster white pearl that is used mostly for long strands.
The Akoya pearl does not come from the tropical island setting you might think of. It is cultured and farmed mainly in China and Japan. They get their name because they are nucleated in the Akoya oyster which is found off the shores of China and Japan. Akoya pearls tend to be fairly small because the Akoya oyster is small in comparison to other types of oysters. The pearls created by the Akoya oyster are typically white or cream, sometimes with overtones of rose or silver.
One of the benefits of having a smaller pearl is that they tend to be the most consistently round in shape. Because of this, they are perfect for jewlers to match them up to create long strands of pearls. When shopping for pearl jewelry, if you come across a long pearl necklace or bracelet, you are most likely looking at Akoya pearls. This type of pearl is highly desireable because it has a high luster, a smooth, round shape, and it is affordable. Their white and rose color makes this type of pearl the perfect choice for someone with a fair complexion as the color will bring out subtle tones in the skin.
Akoya pearls are affordable because they are cultured and farmed in large batches. China and Japan also have a competing market for these pearls which helps to keep the cost down. China has, in recent years, really taken a hold of the Akoya pearl market, creating pearls that rival the legendary quality that Japan calls its own. Because of this response from China, Japan has focused most of its attention on creating large Akoya pearls (over 8mm). It is rare to find pearls larger than this in China, so Japan has taken this opportunity to corner the market.
So, with all of this information, what should you look for when out shopping for pearl jewelry? It is very important to ask the jeweler a lot of questions about the pearls to ensure you are getting exactly what you want. it is important to know about the origin of the pearl. Many times, freshwater pearls will be sold as cultured pearls and it’s important to know the difference. Akoya pearls and freshwater pearls are cultured, but inn different ways. The Akoya pearl is cultured in saltwater, which gives them a very different appearance and are much more valuable than freshwater pearls.
The next piece of advice is to take the time to really inspect the pearls on a particular piece you are interested in. If you are looking at a strand of Akoya pearls, make sure it has a very high luster. Also, look to see if all of the pearls on the strand seem to match in shape and size. Next, look at the color of the pearls on the strand to make sure they all look similar. While you're inspecting the color of the pearl, keep an eye out for blemishes that could decrease the value of the jewelry. The final item on your pearl checklist is overall appearance. Try on the bracelet or necklace in a mirror and see how it looks against your skin tone. If it looks good and you love it, then most likely you have found the perfect piece of pearl jewelry to take home!
Pearls can bring to mind tropical islands surrounded by warm seas where oysters are in abundance. There are many different types of pearls out there on the market, but the Akoya pearl is probably the most recognizable. The Akoya parls is a high luster white pearl that is used mostly for long strands.
The Akoya pearl does not come from the tropical island setting you might think of. It is cultured and farmed mainly in China and Japan. They get their name because they are nucleated in the Akoya oyster which is found off the shores of China and Japan. The reason Akoya pearls are small is because the Akoya oyster is small - in comparison to other types of oysters. The pearls created by the Akoya oyster are typically white or cream, sometimes with overtones of rose or silver.
A benefit of smaller pearls is that they tend to be the most consistently round in shape. Because of this, they are perfect for jewlers to match them up to create long, beautiful strands of pearls. When shopping for pearl jewelry, if you come across a long pearl necklace or bracelet, you are most likely looking at Akoya pearls. This type of pearl is coveted for its high luster, smooth, round shape and affordability. Their white and rose color makes this type of pearl the perfect choice for someone with a fair complexion as the color will bring out subtle tones in the skin.
Akoya pearls are affordable because they are cultured and farmed in large batches. China and Japan also have a competing market for these pearls which helps to keep the cost down. China has, in recent years, really taken a hold of the Akoya pearl market, creating pearls that rival the legendary quality that Japan calls its own. Because of this response from China, Japan has focused most of its attention on creating large Akoya pearls (over 8mm). Japan has taken the opportunity to corner the market, because pearls larger than this in China are rare.
So, with all of this information, what should you look for when out shopping for pearl jewelry? It is very important to ask the jeweler a lot of questions about the pearls to ensure you are getting exactly what you want. It would behoove you to find out the origin of the pearl. Many times, freshwater pearls will be sold as cultured pearls and it’s important to know the difference. Freshwater pearls and Akoya pearls are both cultured, but in different ways. The Akoya pearl is cultured in saltwater, which gives them a very different appearance and are much more valuable than freshwater pearls.
The next piece of advice is to take the time to really inspect the pearls on a particular piece you are interested in. If you are looking at a strand of Akoya pearls, make sure it has a very high luster. Also, look to see if all of the pearls on the strand seem to match in shape and size. Next, look at the color of the pearls on the strand to make sure they all look similar. While inspecting the color, look for any blemishes to the pearls as this could decrease the value of the jewelry. The final thing to put on your pearl checklist is its overall appearance. Try on the necklace or bracelet and look at it against your skin tone and how it looks on you in a mirror. If it looks good and you love it, then most likely you have found the perfect piece of pearl jewelry to take home!
Related posts:
- About Fine Pearl Jewelry
- Akoya Pearl Quality
- Pearl Jewelry : Understand Pearls Before You Buy
- Buying Akoya Necklaces & Earrings
- Saltwater vs. Freshwater Pearls
- { Tips on Choosing Cultured Pearls | Best Tips on Selecting Cultured Pearls | Great Tips to Consider When Buying Cultured Pearls }
- Lesser Known, But Beautiful Pearls
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