Akoya Pearls

So what are Akoya pearls?

Akoya pearls are cultured pearls, meaning they are farmed rather than being found naturally occurring in the wild. Wild pearls still exist but are hard and expensive to track down, whereas their cultivated counterparts, produced in freshwater lakes and rivers or seawater rafts, are much more commonplace.They traditionally come from Japan and are naturally white in colour and regarded as the classic pearl due to their perfect shape and attractive qualities.

Because of their beauty Akoya pearls are used for a wide variety of items of jewellery. They are commonly used to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Naturally, necklaces are the most expensive, as they require the most pearls. Bracelets are usually cheaper and of course earrings are obviously more inexpensive due to their size. Although naturally white, they can be coloured to be grey or gold in appearance – so don’t be alarmed if yours are not brilliant white.

What do I need to know when shopping for Akoya pearls?

There are basics you need to get your head round when purchasing Akoya pearls. First of all let’s deal with the jargon: You must find a good luster. This refers to the shine (or ‘brilliance’) of the individual pearl. A good pearl reflects the light very well, giving a glowing appearance. Then it is important to assess the nacre. This, more commonly known as Mother Of Pearl, is the organic material produced by oysters and other molluscs around pearl beads and it is what makes pearls iridescent – meaning it has a surface which appears to change colour from different angles. The nacre builds up in layers over time – usually a couple of years – and should be thick and solid.

You also need to check whether your Akoya pearls have a good shape. The most desirable cultured pearls are round. They may not be perfectly spherical but do not settle for something obviously elliptical in shape. Also, make sure all the pearls on your necklace, bracelet or earrings are the same size. They should be consistent to the naked eye and not be riddled with different imperfections.

Perhaps the most important advice is to look for some sort of pearl grading system. Trustworthy firms usually adopt the A, AA, AAA grading system. This scores them on the above criteria – so opt for Akoya pearls which are described as AAA.


Pearl-hunter.co.uk is a specialist supplier of Akoya pearls , with a variety of the finest pearls available in the highest quality at a competitive price.