12 Facts About Akoya Pearls
About Akoya Pearls
Working in a jewelry store as a teenager exposed me to beautiful pieces of jewelry. Being surrounded by some of the world's finest pearls, I quickly developed a love for the gemstone.
Today, as a jewelry designer, I appreciate working with superior quality cultured pearls when designing the MONOLISA Pearl Collection . Akoya pearls are some of the finest cultured pearls, and their beauty may quickly grab your attention as they did mine years ago.
If you have not heard of this gorgeous gemstone, below are some interesting facts about Akoya pearls to get you started.
12 Facts About Akoya Pearls
- Akoya pearls are known for their mirror-like luster, near-perfect roundness and superior surface quality.
- Akoya pearls are considered one of the highest quality cultured pearls available.
- The Akoya formation process takes approximately eighteen months to two years.
- An Akoya oyster produces a single round pearl at a time and naturally forms neutral colors.
- Akoya pearls grow in cold waters.
- The pearl gemstone symbolizes love and is the traditional birthstone for the month of June.
- Akoya pearls typically range in size from 5mm–11mm, and 9mm pearls are the most rare. The average Akoya pearl size is around 7mm.
- Akoya pearls come from hidden bays off the coast of Japan.
- The first cultivated pearl was the Akoya.
- Akoya pearls are harvested between December and March—during the coldest months.
- Akoya pearls are gemstones and score between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale .
- Akoya pearls are graded by the Japanese Pearl Grading System, also known as the A–AAA scale.
This blog article is written by California Jewelry Designer Lisa Ramos , who is a member of the International Gem Society (IGS) , the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) , and the Argentium Silver Guild .
Related article – How to Care for Pearl Jewelry
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