Akoya
pearls are cultured saltwater pearls, cultivated mainly in
China and Japan. Earlier, in 1994, Japanese Akoya pearls
dominated the market with almost 66% market share in
producing these pearls. Gradually China has become the
market leader in producing Akoya pearls. At present Japan
has just 11% market share in producing Akoya pearls. Their
size ranges from 2mm to 10mm, 10mm being the maximum size.
These pearls originate from the Akoya oyster. Akoya pearl
oysters are found from temperate to warm subtropical
waters of Korea and China to the tropical seas of
Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand)
Sri Lanka, Middle and Near East, Micronesia and Mexico.
Among all the Akoya pearl oysters, the ones found in the
sea around Japan are said to have the best quality. This
is due to the reason that the sea around Japan has the
most appropriate temperature and quality nutrition for
oyster growth. Therefore pearl cultivation flourished the
most in Japan. Gradually China started cultivating pearls
and became a major producer of Akoya pearls. Akoya pearl
overtone colors are rose and green and combinations of
overtone and body colors are white-rose, green; pink-rose,
green; cream-rose, green; yellow-green, rose. Common Akoya
colors are white, yellow, pink, and cream.
Akoya pearls are popular because of their extreme beauty
and great luster. These pearls are the most beautiful
among all the pearls. These pearls are harvested within a
period of 10 to 18 months on an average, counted from the
time they are nucleated. Akoya oysters have the least
survival rate and hence they are the most expensive and
costly to grow. Not even 50 percent of Akoya oysters
survive after nucleation. Further, one oyster produces
pearl only once in its lifetime. Japan centers the
production of Akoya pearls in four of its prefectures
namely Mie, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Ehime. In the past
years the production of pearls at Japan has seen a
dramatic fall. The current production has fallen to around
one-third of the level of production 10 years ago. This
fall is due to abnormal weather patterns and due to higher
oyster mortality rate. Major production downfall has
occurred over the last three years largely occurring in
the Mie and Ehime prefectures.
We carry both Japanese and Chinese Akoya cultured pearls
but only of the best quality. We follow proper akoya pearl
grading system to grade Akoya pearls regardless of their
origin. Low quality pearls are not acceptable by us like
pearls having very thin nacre, stained or yellowish
colored. These low quality pearls are the result of short
production period or unhealthy processing techniques.
Presently, regardless of the size of the pearl, Japanese
Akoya pearls are more costly than their Chinese
counterparts.. This difference in price between Japan and
China pearls is due to labor costs. Labor is cheap in
China as compared to in Japan. Hence the costs rise for
Japanese pearls. Japan has better processing techniques
like matching, treating, bleaching, sorting, cleaning etc
than China which ensures more quality. We obtain pearls of
best quality from the best available source and further
provide you with full quality and satisfaction after
proper grading.
