Pearls by Angela Carol

The Finest Pearls In The World

Akoya pearls are some of the finest pearls in the entire world.  These beautiful specimens of pearls are what most people envision in their minds when they think of pearls or a pearl necklace.  They are the most beautiful of all the different types of pearls.

These amazing Akoya pearls are found in waters all over the world.  They are found in the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and also the Caribbean Sea.  That is a lot of different places that one type of pearl can be found. 

But the place where the best Akoya pearls can be found would have to be with out a doubt, Japan.  Japan creates some beautiful Akoya pearls.  The word Akoya actually means pearl in Japanese.   You see Japan consistently creates Akoya pearls that are 8mm in size and better.  That is a very big deal considering the average size of an Akoya pearl is 5mm to7mm.  Of course they range in size from 2mm up to 11mm, but that is only the range and not the average.  Any Akoya pearls that are found that are 10mm or 11mm are extremely rare and are very prized.  The oyster that the Akoya pearl grows in is only between three to five inches in size and does not usually allow enough room for a larger pearl to grow.

You may not understand why the Akoya is so valued.  Well it is because even when they are cultivated and not found naturally it is a hard growing process.  The procedure that is used to create pearls only takes %33 of the time.  Finding an Akoya pearl naturally is even harder.  That would make a natural Akoya pearl very pricy indeed.

Akoya pearls come in all the same shapes that all the other types of pearls come in.  There of course is the round shape which is by far the most valued.  These are the much desired shape for making pearl necklaces.  There is also the semi round.  This shape is used in jewelry settings that can hide the shape and make the pearl appear to be round.  There are drop shaped, button shaped and also baroque shaped.  All of the different shapes will vary in price when it comes to how valuable a pearl is. But again the round is by far the most valued.

Although the Akoya pearl is some what expensive for some people it is the only kind of pearl to have.  Akoya pearls are wonderful investments also.  Many necklaces and other jewelry that are made out of pearls are given as gifts.  A very popular gift to give a young lady as she reaches her sixteenth birthday would be a string of pearls.  Pearls are also very popular to wear for the bride during a wedding.  Since June is primarily a perfect time for weddings and many people choose to have their wedding in the month of June it is no wonder that so many people wear pearls.  Pearls happen to be the birthstone for the month of June.  Pearls are supposed to represent purity and going along with the whole bride wearing white theme it works well.

Choosing the perfect pearl for you may turn out to be trickier than you expected.  One of the most important things to remember is to trust your jeweler. If you do not trust the person you are working with find someone else to buy your jewelry from.  Buying pearls takes a keen eye and also certain knowledge.  If you do not have this knowledge find some information out before you go looking for a pearl.