Akoya Pearls: Cultured Elegance
If Pinctada fucata martensii sounds like a mouthful, they really are. Pinctada fucata martensii, also known as akoya oysters, are the living organisms found primarily in Japan and China that provide us with the beautifully elegant akoya pearls. Akoya pearls are great for use in necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants. In contrast to freshwater pearls, the akoya pearls that are retrieved from their saltwater confines are more lustrous and round.
Akoya pearls are between two and eleven millimeters in size. Eight millimeters or less are more common sizes. Akoya pearls are more round than other pearls and are wonderful for use in jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, or necklaces because they are easier to match. Akoya pearls are white and lustrous, and their outer surface (nacre) usually shows hints of cream, rose, or silver color tones.
In 1916, Kokichi Mikimoto patented round pearl culture. Japan had a stronghold on the cultured pearl production industry, but water pollution has lessened its pearl production recently. China, after attempting pearl culturing as early as the 1960s and finally succeeding at it in the 1980s, now produces more akoya pearls than Japan. Japanese pearl farmers are now focusing on the production of akoya pearls that are eight millimeters in size or larger, since the larger sizes are a rarity in Chinese pearl culturing. Japanese factories import smaller akoya pearls from China. They then treat and string the akoya pearls in Japan to legitimately claim them as Japanese-created products.
The culturing process involves an akoya oyster being surgically implanted with a small nucleus. The oyster is then placed back into the water, being moved to warmer water in winter season. After one year, the oyster and millions of its buddies are harvested. Out of those millions, only a small fraction will have produced a gem-quality akoya pearl.
Akoya pearls are graded on a scale of A (low quality) to AAA (high quality). Akoya pearls that exceed this scale’s quality rating are labeled Hanadama akoya pearls. Hanadama is the highest possible grade that the Pearl Science Laboratory of Japan issues. Pearls are graded based on luster, size, shape, color, and surface.
Pearls are unique in that they are the only gemstones that grow inside a living organism. Amber, in contrast, is a gemstone that sometimes preserves former living things on its inside. The majority of pearls on the market today are cultured. However, in Bahrain, divers still search the ocean’s floor for natural pearls. Their finds account for less than one percent of the pearl industry. One out of every 10,000 oysters will contain a pearl, and of those, the correct size, shape, and color are a rare find.
Pearls symbolize wisdom and elegance. Be wise and take care of your akoya
pearls. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaning on akoya pearls. Avoid using toothbrushes or anything abrasive. Harsh soap should also be avoided. Don’t wear pearls when their string is wet—this attracts dirt and will make the pearls harder to clean. Don’t have your pearls on while you are applying perfumes, hairspray, or cosmetics. Clean your akoya pearls with a soft cloth. If your pearls do get wet, lay them out on a towel to dry. When the towel is dry, the pearls should be dry.
When storing your pearls, keep them out of contact with other pieces of jewelry. It is sometimes best to keep them in a jewelry pouch or to wrap them in tissue. If the akoya pearls are worn often, it is recommended that they be re-strung each year.
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