Akoya pearls are known as the first spherical cultured pearls to be introduced in the early twentieth century. These round pearls are known for their consistently high quality which includes a creamy white body color, excellent luster and a smooth, unblemished surface. Because Akoya pearls are so uniform in size and shape, they are ideal for pearl strands as they match exceptionally well.

Produced mainly in Japan and China, Akoya pearls are grown on saltwater pearl farms in oysters called Pinctada fucata. The common name for the oyster in Japan is “Akoya” so the cultured pearls are also referred to as Akoyas.

The average size for an Akoya cultured pearl is 6 to 8.5mm and they usually have a white or cream body color with rosé overtone. The average size of the Akoya oyster is 8cm – 13cm. Farmers harvest Akoya cultured pearls in the winter because cold water allows the oyster to produce a pearl with high quality nacre and extraordinary luster. At colder water temperatures, nacre formation slows, which results in bigger, thinner calcium carbonate crystals. These crystals are positioned in such a way that light can reflect and refract through the layers, creating a beautiful cultured pearl with a glossy surface and a soft, three-dimensional glow called luster.

All of our Akoya pearls are rated as clean which means they have excellent surface quality.

To learn more on pearl quality factors, visit our Pearl Guide.