12 Facts 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, being 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 haven not heard of the gorgeous gemstone below are some interesting facts about Akoya pearls to get you started. 

1. Akoya pearls are known for their mirror luster, perfect roundness and superior surface quality.
2. Akoya pearls are considered one of the highest quality pearls available. 
3. The Akoya formation process takes eighteen months to two years. 
4. An Akoya oyster produces a single round pearl at a time and naturally form neutral colors.
5. Akoya pearls grow in cold waters.
6. The pearl gemstone symbolizes love and is the traditional birthstone for the month of June.
7. The Akoya pearl typically ranges in sizes 5mm-11mm and a 9mm is the most rare. The average Akoya pearl size is 7mm.
8. Akoya pearls come from the hidden bays off the coast of Japan.
9. The first cultivated pearl was the Akoya.
10. Between December to March is when Akoya pearls are harvested - during the coldest months. 
11. Akoya pearls are gemstones and score between 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale.
12. Akoya pearls are graded by the Japanese Pearl Grading System, the A-AAA Scale.