| Some obvious differences and some not so obvious | | | | with a shell bead of some size, and only allowed to |
| differences. | | | | develop nacre for a limited time before harvesting. The |
| Here’s what this is all about: | | | | length of time is limited only by the cultivator’s |
| 1) As you may have noticed. Freshwater pearl jewelry | | | | desire for quicker harvests. |
| is less expensive. | | | | 4) A benefit of thicker nacre means that a freshwater |
| And you know the Akoya pearl is more expensive | | | | pearl necklace will last longer. |
| A few reasons for this difference, one the freshwater | | | | Truth be told, low grade akoya pearl necklaces with a |
| pearl is easier to grow. Freshwater pearls are easier | | | | thin coating of nacre often chip and or wear off. |
| to grow because the process of nucleation is different | | | | As you can imagine, a freshwater pearl with solid |
| and easier. The amount of nucleation per mollusk is | | | | nacre has nothing to chip away; whereas, an Akoya |
| much more in the freshwater pearl mussel (at one | | | | pearl is possibly only a coating of as little as 1mm, so it |
| time 40 to 50) the most an akoya can produce might | | | | can easily be worn or chipped. |
| be 4 or 5 and I don’t think they do that often | | | | 5) The better grades of Akoya Pearl Jewelry have a |
| because quality goes down and mortality goes up. | | | | higher luster compared to freshwater jewelry pearls. |
| Freshwater mussels can be nucleated again with less | | | | A Freshwater pearl bracelet can have |
| mortality than the one time for akoyas. There is more | | | | “orient’, a rainbow iridescence noticed on |
| control over the environment, ponds and streams as | | | | heirloom or natural pearls. An Akoya pearl bracelet |
| opposed to ocean water, which has typhoons and red | | | | does not have this. |
| tides to contend with. | | | | The nacre or mother of pearl of the Akoya has a |
| 2) Of course, Akoya Pearls are mostly round in shape. | | | | grater luster or glow. The Freshwater pearl can have |
| And needless to say, Freshwater pearls are rarely | | | | a trait called “orient” which is a shimmering |
| round shaped. | | | | of a rainbow of color, like the way that oil looks on |
| The Akoya is nucleated with a round bead made from | | | | water. Orient is seen on natural saltwater pearls and |
| a freshwater mussel shell that is made round to begin | | | | freshwater pearls; but, not on Akoya cultured pearls. |
| with. The Freshwater mussel is nucleated with a piece | | | | So it adds up to this: Things they are a |
| of soft tissue, usually just a flat piece, or many flat | | | | changing’. From keshi pearls called rice crispies |
| pieces. | | | | because that’s what they look like, to gem |
| 3) The freshwater pearl earring is solid nacre. | | | | grade pearls. Freshwater jewelry pearls are now |
| Here's something you probably don't know about...an | | | | rivaling Akoya jewelry pearls in beauty. |
| Akoya Pearl Necklace has a bead core made of shell | | | | Freshwater pearl jewelry is changing rapidly. A |
| and only a coating of nacre, as thin as 1mm. | | | | Freshwater pearl necklace will last longer, and be |
| See above, the soft tissue that the freshwater mussel | | | | tomorrow’s heirloom. Freshwater Pearls are |
| is nucleated with is absorbed leaving a pearl of solid | | | | gaining in quality and popularity. |
| nacre, more like natural pearls. The Akoya is nucleated | | | | |