Buying Guide

What Are Akoya Pearls?

The iconic Akoya pearl is the classic round white pearl, prized for its lustre, subtlety and grace.

The Akoya pearl has traditionally been cultured in Japan since the 1920s in a variety of saltwater oyster named Pinctada Fuctata. Other countries such as China and Vietnam have also cultured Akoya pearls in recent years.

The Akoya pearl oyster is small in comparison to other species, producing typically just one or two pearls of between 3mm and 10mm in diameter in 10-14 months of growth.

The Akoya pearl is bead-nucleated using a round piece of shell that is coated with layers of pearl nacre by the oyster. The presence of this nucleaus means that most Akoya pearls are round.

After harvesting the white pearls are usually subtly tinted with pink. Other colours include cream, silvery grey, golden and blue.

The regular size, stunning lustre and white colour of Akoya pearls makes them very well suited for fine pearl jewellery.