When it comes to Japanese pearls, many people associate them with the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Indeed, Japan and pearls are intrinsically intertwined, and Japanese pearls are among the highest quality in the world.
Representative of Japanese pearls: AKOYA
Japan akoya pearls, origin is mostly Japan’s Mie, Yuubon, Ehime County around the Seto Inland Sea. This is the mother of the Marsupial shell, which is more compact than the other shells.
Because of the marsupial shell’s small size, carrying capacity is limited; a mother shell can only nurture an akoya pearl, and the common size is 5-8mm; the number of akoya above 9mm is very small, and the price is high; and the largest diameter of the akoya is not more than 10mm.
Akoya pearls for nucleated cultivated are relatively round, and many meet positive round criteria. Akoya pearls have strălucent luster, and it is known as the pearl world’s small light bulb. However, due to their unique shine, Akoya pearls can become popular in the jewelry industry in a short period of time.
Akoya pearls have slightly wrinkled with pinhole imperfections. Because mirror smooth akoya pearls are extremely rare, almost non-existent, the slightly wrinkled and tiny imperfections of the skin are also characteristics of akoya pearls.
Akoya pearls are mostly white, with a few natural light champagne gold and blue-gray exceptions; if the quality is the same, the price is slightly higher than for white akoya.
To summarize the qualities of Akoya pearls, they have small grains, a dazzling luster, are somewhat folded, and have flaws in their skin.
How should I buy Akoya pearls?
Akoya pearls are priced by four factors: size, luster, form, and flaws. Higher prices are associated with larger and brighter pearls, rounder and fewer blemishes. When working with a restricted budget, it is imperative to prioritize luster, size, form, and imperfection for the following reasons:
1. Luster:
Pearls can improve a person’s temperament and make them in a crowd more dazzling, but this is dependent on the luster of the pearl, and no luster of the pearl, no matter how large, is like a stone.
(Luster judgment tips: non-professionals can look at the pearl skin reflection of the human face to judge the strength of the pearl luster, the line will generally be divided into low light, medium light, intense light, a strong light level, judgment can be taken away from the pearl strong light source to see the reflection of the human face to the face of the fuzzy invisible, the human face is observable, visible, five visible, five clear and other phenomena correspond to the pearl luster.
2. Size:
Generally, the larger the pearl, the greater its value since the longer the breeding time, the more the mother of pearl is vulnerable to disease or death, and the more likely it is to require its own carrying capacity. Thus, the larger the diameter of a pearl, the scarcer it is, the fewer pearls are produced, and the more expensive they are.
3. Shape:
In general, a “pearl round” pearl is more rare, so its value is higher. However, its shape typically has to be in close proximity to be easily identified, so it should take third place.
4. Flaws:
“flawless not pearl”, almost all pearls have defects, flawless pearls are less than 3% of total production; flawless refers to pearls that are visible by the naked eye, instead of magnifying by an instrument, which is useful for jewelry. It is generally also necessary to observe flaws from an intimate distance in a limited budget, so it is not advised to overly worry about faults in a limited budget.
What is the diameter of Akoya pearls?
According to the Japanese official introduction, akoya pearls listed on the market before the transaction have strict control. According to the transaction, the beads layer thickness must be at least 0.35mm for akoya beads.
The requirements of the flower beads require the bead layer thickness to reach 0.4mm or more. Market trading of the regular akoya bead thickness varies generally in the 0.35-0.4mm, which is the naked eye thickness. The particular thickness cannot be seen with the naked eye, so it is detected by technology.
What does Japan’s akoya flower beads, Tennyo, and Zentama really mean?
Flower pearl is the Japanese term for high-quality Akoya pearls. Among the essential characteristics of flower pearls are their minimal surface flaws, round form, vibrant color, and thicker bead layer than 0.4mm.
Tennyo is the highest quality akoya pearls and the nicest floral pearls. Tengu is chosen from among the flower beads, hence Tengu must first qualify as a flower bead. The name “Tengu” refers to a pearl with three classic Akoya interference colors. Blossom pearls can be identified by a translucent instrument rather than the naked eye, but only by taking a second look at the interference colors.
The term “Zentama” refers to the blue color of Akoya pearls harvested from the sea and not been treated artificially.
In the Japan Academy of True Pearl Science’s identification book, it is described as a series of excellent pearls. The term “Aurora Borealis” refers to the highest quality genuine blue akoya pearls. The true appearance is with light blue silver gray beads, also known as silver gray orchids, and is blue.
As a result, “Zentama” is a small nobleman of noble birth whose name reflects its rarity and quality. Only the highest quality silvery-grayish-orange pearls are named “Zendama”!
