Akoya Pearls: A Japanese Creation
Akoya pearls are undoubtedly the best known and most pervasive of the family of saltwater cultured pearls. Of course the other main
members of the saltwater pearl family are the Tahitian Black Pearls and the
South Sea Pearls. The term “Akoya” refers to pearls produced by the Japanese Akoya oyster whose proper
name is Pinctada Fucata Martensii. The Akoya are the most famous of all pearl producing oysters and are primarily cultivated in the ocean
waters off the coasts of Japan and China. Akoya oysters surrender saltwater pearls that are recognized for their intense luster, beautiful
color, and superb roundness. It is still considered that the Akoya are superior to the freshwater pearl and therefore command much higher
market values. However, with the strong improvements in farming techniques of the Chinese freshwater industry in the last few decades, some
are questioning the unchallenged dominance of the Akoya.
Mikimoto Dominates Akoya Pearls
Throughout the history of cultured pearling, started by Mikimoto, Akoya pearls have consistently been
the most popular type of pearls for matching together to create beautiful necklaces and bracelets. This is due the exquisite roundness and
consistent color that is so common among Akoya pearls. Natural body colors of the Akoya include cream and white. However, natural overtones
also include green, yellow and rose. Akoya pearls with rose overtones are by far the most rare and therefore, they are considered the most
desirable and valuable.
Unlike freshwater pearls, the Akoya pearls are extraordinarily difficult to culture and this
contributes to the powerful allure of this gem and this rarity is responsible for its consistently high market value. The Akoya oyster
rarely produces more than two pearls over its life and additionally has a higher mortality rate than that of the freshwater oyster.
In the contrary, the freshwater mollusks can be nucleated to harvest upwards of fifty pearls each per nucleation and can survive multiple
nucleations. Finally, the Akoya is the smallest member of the pearl producing oysters. Due to the relatively small size of the oyster,
true Akoya pearls range in size from only 2 to 11 mm.
Akoya Pearls: Enter the Chinese
The term Akoya used to be synonymous with Japanese Akoya pearls, since until the last few decades, almost the entire world supply of
Akoya pearls came from the waters and inlets in the Japan islands. The picture is much different today. Due to pollution issues in the
Japanese waters, the supply of Japanese Akoya has been on a steady downturn for many decades. In contrast, the Chinese have been steadily
increasing their production efforts of the Akoya pearl.
So in recent years the Chinese have surpassed the Japanese in production of the Akoya pearls so sought after in the world markets.
Due to the limited success in the culturing techniques used in the early 90’s, the Chinese Akoya pearls have been considered vastly inferior
to their Japanese counterparts. As the Chinese gained experience and more advance technologies were implemented for the implantation
process, the Chinese are now producing Akoya pearls with qualities that rival or surpass that of the Japanese. This has resulted in the
extinction of the term “Japanese” Akoya pearls in the communities in the know. While many companies do still try to claim that their
pearls strands are Japanese Akoyas, it is understood that probably as much as 80% of the pearls were harvested in Chinese waters. Today,
“Japanese Akoya” would refer only to where the pearls were processed; meaning where they were polished, bleached, matched and drilled.
Hanadama pearls are a special class of Akoya that the Chinese
freshwater strives to replicate.
Akoya Pearls: Japanese Pearl Farms Struggle To Survive
The unrelenting Chinese competition has forced many Japanese pearl farmers to refocus much of their efforts on culturing the larger
Akoya pearls, those that are 9 mm or larger. This is due to the fact that quality Akoya pearls larger than 8mm are still to this day a
rare occurrence in China. This switch to larger Akoya pearls has so far kept the pearl farm surviving in Japan. However, many feel that
when larger pearls start being produced in china, the Japanese hold on the pearl markets worldwide will come to an end. It is just a matter
of time.
From the Land
From the Sea
Jeweled Fusion
Learn about the pearls, keshi pearl, gem, gemstones, and gold we use in our necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
We cordially invite you to Experience Jeweled Fusion of Land and Sea where we combine shimmering precious and semi-precious
gemstones with lustrous pearls and keshi pearls to create exquisit handmade designer jewelry.
