Akoya pearl necklace
Pearls are of four different kinds and they are Akoya, Pearls, Fresh water Pearls South Sea Pearls and Tahitian Pearls with their own exclusive color, shape and size. Of the four the most popular is Akoya pearls as nature has been very kind to it in that it has gifted them with a unique color and beauty. Fresh water pearls dot not have much difference in look but that they are cheap, being smaller in size. South Sea pearls are highly expensive as it is not easy to cultivate and Tahitian pearls are expensive as the process of cultivation is very complicated. Hence the popularity of Akoya pearls.
Pearls as a gift
Akoya pearl necklace is an ideal gift that can be given to a bride or on any other occasion like Christmas and is suited to all special occasions for its luminosity, tone and attractive shades of color. They come from China and Japan and it can be fabricated with gold, or hand knot it with double silk thread and a filigree work also may be done. Pearls are available with luster characterized with light pink over tones.Shape
It is round in shape with thick nacre marked by a very high luster and a smooth in surface, very clean without any blemishes. Such pearls are available in about 6.5mm.The necklace is made in about 19 inches with hand knotted pearls by professionals. There are varieties of designs like Ball Clasp, the Earring post and Push on Closures made of sterling silver some of them are gold plated, looking beautiful and shining. It is accepted by all that is an immense pleasure to be gifted with Akoya pearls
Gradations
Undoubtedly it is a precious pearl coming with a higher price tag and the normal price is about $4000 dollars and on rare occasions they come with discounts. Why they are much sought after? They have become popular the world over as they are considered as diamonds fresh from the sea and their excellent bead work and luster keep the eyes fixed on them and when worn, they stun those looking at them. They are graded like AAA, AA+ and so on. AAA grade means they are of top quality and free of blemishes to the tune of 95% and their round shape thick nacre add to their excellent looks and they form only 1% of the harvested pearls. The AA+ pearls are about 93% blemish free and they rank second in the harvested pearls, making 5% of them, coming in a round shape with thick nacre. The AA pearls form 20% of the harvested pearls ant are blemish free in about 80%.They come in a round shape with their nacre ranging from medium to thick. The A graded pearl is nearly 50% harvested. With a good matching and rounded in shape, they are moderate in blemishes when set in light and their luster shares equal percentage with other graded ones.Chinese and Japanese
There is a keen competition in the market between the Chinese and the Japanese pearls and one may ask them why there should be such a competition and where in the difference between them lies. The difference is in the shape and the Japanese pearls are spherical in shape being superior to the Chinese and the rounder the pearls are the more valuable they are. How a pearl should be in quality and beauty is exemplified in the Japanese ones. Japanese Akoya pearls have unmatched grace and they have their own charm without any rival. Unfortunately the pearl culture in Japan has lost its prime place as the cost of labor is very high though is one of the most important occupations I the county. The pearls are flooding the market there despite its inferior quality and now there is not much difference in the prices and the main reason is that the pearls imported from China are converted into ornaments with a tag that they are made in Japan.
It is the consumers to decide whether they are paying for the Japanese make or not. The only plus point is that the pearls imported from China are being processed in Japan only before they come out as finished products after polishing and bleaching.As far as Akoya pearls are concerned, they are composed of 80%Chinese pearls and 20%japanese pearls and the buyers will not be able to differentiate between them. They pay for the standard finish and elegance without bothering about the origin and those wearing them go by their shine and luster and it is that they want whether they are Japanese or Chinese.
Akoya pearl necklaces
Akoya pearls are widely used in necklaces as they display the traditional colors like white silver and cream and they hit the market in a vast range of styles meeting the expectations of the varied tastes of the buyers. Such necklaces sell enormously and they are always in demand irrespective of being Chinese or Japanese. Pearls inlaid in necklaces acquire ornamental value adding elegance and grandeur to the necklace as well as to the wearer.
Types of Akoya Pearl Necklaces
Traditional necklaces of Japan
have been presented in new and modern settings using Akoya pearls. These pearls are knotted by hand and show the silky perfection of the pearls to perfection. These necklaces have lovely gold clasps that are very ornamental.
Given below are some types of Akoya necklaces.
Akoya pearl Strand with Yellow Gold Clasp 7.0-7.5mm.The price is $1,500. After discount it is available at a price of $800 Akoya Pearl Strand with white gold clasp 7.0-7.5mm. The price is $1,550 and after discount it is available for a price of $820 White gold 14k Akoya pearl necklace with a weight of 3.70 gm is available at a price of $9,200 and the weight of the pearl is 32gm and the pearls are perfectly round in shape. The size is 7.5mmx7mm. Any woman would look gorgeous if she wears this necklace.
Diamond clasped White Akoya Pearl necklace. The clasp is in 14k white gold. The pearl size is 9mmx12mm.There is fifty seven pearls totally and the pearls weigh about 32 gm and knotted by hand with a double silk strand for strength. The pearls are AAA graded, round, lustrous and look very fascinating. The clasp weighs 4gm; the size is 20mmx12mm and embedded with 0.120 carats of diamonds.
A beautiful hangs from the bottom of the clasp.
Akoya Sea Pearl Necklace This is an 18 inch necklace with a solid 14 carat gold clasp. These pearls are smooth and lustrous with a size of 6.5-7.0mm. This necklace looks gorgeous and very elegant. Any woman would look sophisticated if she wears this necklace.
Blue Diamond Akoya Pearl Necklace These diamonds are iridescent and blue in color. These shine like the Tahitian Pearls. They glow beautifully. The necklace is 17 inch in length. All the sixty pearls are round in shape and weigh 3gm totally. It has a gold clasp that is very decorative. All the pearls are hand knotted strongly. The Weight of the necklace is 28gm and the retail price is only $7,000.
Qualities of Akoya pearls
Some important points are to be noted as the qualities of the pearls have to be studied. For example there may be cracks in the pearls making them less valuable and it means that the nacre is thin in the areas and it is good to keep them. Blemish pearls only must be used in making necklaces and buyer s must be on their guard against cheats. What are the precautions one has to take before buying? See that the luster is good and nacre is excellent. Matching must be brilliant with the surface being excellent Gold filigree work should be a standard one with a good finish.
What is the need for wearing pearls? People born in June wear the pearl as it gives them a simple and chaste look. Though expensive, cultured pearls make them affordable for all to purchase. They acquire their value from the rare beauty they derive from the light reflected through the crystalline nacre that provides the shine deeply and the beauty of the pearls depends on the luster and the reflection of the stone. The dazzling radiance and the elegant finish make the ornament a highly priced as well as a much coveted one.
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