| Beautiful. Elegant. Lustrous. These are just three | | | | Pearliculture in Japan is one of the highest paid labor in |
| adjectives normally used when asked to describe | | | | the world because of the tedious procedure of |
| Akoya Pearl Necklaces. A contemporary piece of | | | | cultivating and getting the pearls from the oysters and |
| jewelry, each pearl necklace is hand-knotted individually | | | | mussels. |
| showing a silky luster. Brilliant Japanese pearls, it is | | | | But because there are so much competition out there, |
| always a pleasure receiving Akoya pearl necklaces. | | | | Japanese Akoya pearl industry being number one just |
| Although something so rare and precious does come | | | | had to come to a halt. It was obvious for the last |
| with a price. The average price for an Akoya pearl | | | | half-decade but it was only with the strong supply of |
| necklace is $4000 dollars. Some stores offer a | | | | Chinese Akoya pearl necklaces pouring in did the |
| discount especially during the Holidays though. | | | | expected actually occurred. |
| But if you can afford getting yourself or a significant | | | | Regardless, even if it were Japanese of Chinese |
| other one, why not? Akoya pearl necklaces assure | | | | Akoya pearl necklaces, the price remains the same |
| fine beadwork, awe-inspiring luster effect and a | | | | because of the rarity and the precious quality this |
| brilliance that is so stunning that when worn, they seem | | | | piece of jewelry represents. The twist of this whole |
| to be diamonds fresh out from the sea. Akoya pearl | | | | competing for the best pearl necklace is that |
| necklaces have then on become symbols for beauty | | | | Japanese factories are quickly becoming the largest |
| and elegance and one of the most popular pearls the | | | | consumers of the Chinese Akoya pearl farmers. |
| world over. | | | | Pearls from China are imported into Japan and then |
| Akoya pearls are graded using AAA, AA+, AA and A. | | | | later on tagged "Made in Japan." |
| AAA pearls are those belonging to the Top 1% of the | | | | Akoya pearl necklaces today obviously contain |
| harvest. Their luster is excellent and they are 96% | | | | Chinese Akoya pearls. To say that it is Japanese |
| blemish free. Their matching is excellent, they have a | | | | Akoya pearls kinda raises the question if it really is. Is it |
| round shape and a thick nacre. | | | | really the rare spherical black Akoya pearls Japan is |
| The AA+ pearls are those that came from the top | | | | known for or is it merely made in Japan? |
| 5% of the harvest. Their luster is also excellent and | | | | But it is still a consumers right to know whether he is |
| they are 90 to 95% blemish free. Their matching is | | | | paying the right price for the necklace he is purchasing. |
| excellent, they have a round shape and a thick nacre. | | | | Generally, people believe that if the Akoya pearl |
| The AA pearls are those belonging to the Top 20% of | | | | necklaces came from Japan, it is expensive. For them |
| the harvest. Their luster is very good and they are 80 | | | | to not feel cheated, they must not take the "Made in |
| to 90% blemish free. Their matching is very good, their | | | | Japan" tag seriously. |
| shape is round and their nacre ranges from medium to | | | | Studies show that 80% of Akoya pearl necklaces are |
| thick. | | | | actually Chinese cultured pearls. The strands may be |
| The A pearls are those belonging to the Top 50% of | | | | from Japan but the pearls are really from China. |
| the harvest. Their luster is very good and their | | | | Another question is that what about the manufacturers |
| blemishes are moderate when set on the light. They | | | | that gets their Akoya pearl stocks directly from |
| have good matching and a round shape. | | | | Japanese farms. The answer is that Japan pearl |
| Every pearl necklace retailer know that if there are | | | | farms sell their pearls to factories where the items are |
| two kinds of pearl necklaces competing head-to-head | | | | bleached, polished, matched and drilled. Never do they |
| for the demands of the jewelry-loving market, it would | | | | sell directly to the retailers. |
| have to be the Japanese Akoya Pearls and the | | | | Because of the estimated 80% Chinese pearls and |
| Chinese Akoya Pearls. The normal public would go, | | | | 20% Japanese pearls, it is extremely hard to figure out |
| "What's the difference? They're both pearls." Alas, my | | | | the understandable profit when it comes to Akoya |
| friend, you think wrong. There is still a difference | | | | pearl necklace-making. |
| between the two, therefore the competition. | | | | Regardless, consumers still buy Akoya pearl necklaces |
| When it comes to pearls, Japan has the best and | | | | simply because the standard of this fine piece of |
| most precious ones out there. Considering that theirs | | | | jewelry continue to prove true today. Its standards |
| are the most spherical in shape. In the pearl industry, | | | | remain topnotch and the beauty, luster and elegance |
| the rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is. | | | | of the Akoya pearl necklace - be it Chinese or |
| Japanese Akoya pearls is the epitome for the classic | | | | Japanese - still make the wearer shine to the nines. |
| quality and grace of what pearl necklaces should be. | | | | |