AKOYA PEARLS

Akoya Pearls are formed by an oyster called Pinctada Fucata Martensi, which is the smallest member of the saltwater oyster family. Akoya pearls, also known as Japanese Pearls, are cultivated in the regions of Ehime, Mie, Oita, Nagasaki and Kumamoto.

The Akoya Pearls sold by Oyster Pearl originate from the Kumamoto region of Japan.

The water temperature of the ocean where the Akoya pearls grow is particularly low and constantly changes with the seasons. The effect of these seasonal changes on the aragonite crystals improves the lustre and colour of the pearl. When Akoya Pearls are left to cultivate for longer periods, they develop more calcium carbonate CaCO3 (nacre), making pearls of higher value.

However, a longer cultivation period also carries with it more risks due to the higher possibility of being damaged by climatic conditions or disease. Therefore, the pearls need to be well looked after during the cultivation period. At Oyster Pearl, we take the utmost care in offering only the finest quality Akoya Pearls and, in return, we are amply rewarded by your trust.

High quality Akoya pearls need to remain on the shores of Japan for one and a half to two years. During this period, their size grows to 7.5 mm–8 mm.

After releasing about 1,000 young Akoya Oysters into the sea, they are left to grow for about 6–7 months. The mature oysters are removed and implanted with a nucleus (obtained from oyster DNA) and returned to the shores of Japan to grow further.

At various times throughout every year, the oysters are vulnerable to fatal disease and are treated with a range of antibiotics. In certain circumstances, over $50 can be spent trying to save an oyster.

Finally, after two years, the oysters are gathered and internally examined, using x-ray apparatus, so that the first stage of the grading process can be carried out according to their quality.

At the end of this grading process, only 0.5% of the pearls are found to be lustrous, unblemished and perfectly round. Lustrous, unblemished pearls that have formed into a perfectly round shape are rarer than pale, misshapen or blemished pearls, and consequently have a much higher value.

On average, out of 1,000 Akoya oysters, only between 5 and 10 are high enough quality to be graded AAA standard and only about 50 are graded as AA+. The Akoya pearl in the picture is an exact replica of the 7.5–8 mm, AAA quality pearl you will purchase from us. It was removed from the oyster, cleaned and photographed immediately.

Due to their durability, Akoya pearls, complemented by a necklace or earrings, are an ideal and popular choice in the jewellery sector, although many producers are put off by their cost. As well as perfectly round pearls, there are also semi-round specimens. All sizes can be used for making jewellery, but it is usually those of 5–7 mm that are used in a ‘string of pearls’. Due to the high cost of these pearls, scratched or blemished specimens that are not perfectly round are used for strings of pearls in particular. Akoya pearls are a popular choice in Europe due to the variety of sizes that are available.

They also come in numerous different colours: white, cream, grey, peach and naturally dyed black.

The popularity of Akoya pearls shows no signs of decreasing. Their suitability for all styles and occasions means that they can be easily worn in everyday life in innumerable stylish and fashionable design options. These pearls bestow the pleasure of real beauty formed at the far reaches of the oceans. At Oyster Pearl, we wanted to share this pure, matchless beauty from the depths of the seas with you and give you the opportunity to make those you love feel special and matchless as well. It gives us great pride to present you with the finest Akoya pearls from beyond the seas.