Akoya Pearls Versus Freshwater Pearls

Some obvious differences and some not so obvious differences.

 

Here’s what this is all about:

1) As you may have noticed. Freshwater pearl jewelry is less expensive.
And you know the Akoya pearl is more expensive

A few reasons for this difference, one the freshwater pearl is easier to grow. Freshwater pearls are easier to grow because the process of nucleation is different and easier. The amount of nucleation per mollusk is much more in the freshwater pearl mussel (at one time 40 to 50) the most an akoya can produce might be 4 or 5 and I don’t think they do that often because quality goes down and mortality goes up. Freshwater mussels can be nucleated again with less mortality than the one time for akoyas. There is more control over the environment, ponds and streams as opposed to ocean water, which has typhoons and red tides to contend with.

2) Of course,  Akoya Pearls are mostly round in shape.
And needless to say, Freshwater pearls are rarely round shaped.

The Akoya is nucleated with a round bead made from a freshwater mussel shell that is made round to begin with. The Freshwater mussel is nucleated with a piece of soft tissue, usually just a flat piece, or many flat pieces.

3) The freshwater pearl earring is solid nacre.
Here’s something you probably don’t know about…an Akoya Pearl Necklace has a bead core made of shell and only a coating of nacre, as thin as 1mm.

See above, the soft tissue that the freshwater mussel is nucleated with is absorbed leaving a pearl of solid nacre, more like natural pearls. The Akoya is nucleated with a shell bead of some size, and only allowed to develop nacre for a limited time before harvesting. The length of time is limited only by the cultivator’s desire for quicker harvests.

4) A benefit of thicker nacre means that a freshwater pearl necklace will last longer.
Truth be told, low grade akoya pearl necklaces with a thin coating of nacre often chip and or wear off.

As you can imagine, a freshwater pearl with solid nacre has nothing to chip away; whereas, an Akoya pearl is possibly only a coating of as little as 1mm, so it can easily be worn or chipped.

5) The better grades of Akoya Pearl Jewelry have a higher luster compared to freshwater  jewelry pearls.
A Freshwater pearl bracelet can have “orient’, a rainbow iridescence noticed on heirloom or natural pearls. An Akoya pearl bracelet does not have this.

The nacre or mother of pearl of the Akoya has a grater luster or glow. The Freshwater pearl can have a trait called “orient” which is a shimmering of a rainbow of color, like the way that oil looks on water. Orient is seen on natural saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls; but, not on Akoya cultured pearls.

So it adds up to this: Things they are a changing’. From keshi pearls called rice crispies because that’s what they look like, to gem grade pearls. Freshwater jewelry pearls are now rivaling Akoya jewelry pearls in beauty.
Freshwater pearl jewelry is changing rapidly. A Freshwater pearl necklace will last longer, and be tomorrow’s heirloom. Freshwater Pearls are gaining in quality and popularity.

 

About the Author

More types of jewelry pearls Patrick Cavanaugh writes about pearls .

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Pearls $5.97 Pearls

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