Akoya Vs. Freshwater Pearls Everything You Need To Know

Larger pearls don’t necessarily mean that the pearls are more valuable. The type and quality of the pearl are also important factors.

Akoya pearls that aren’t perfectly round are still valuable, but they won’t receive the highest grade.

You can’t go off of color alone to tell the difference between Akoya and freshwater pearls because both types are often bleached to make them whiter. Lab testing can reveal whether or not your pearls have been bleached.

Newer freshwater pearls might appear more lustrous since farming techniques are improving.

Retailers take surface conditions into account in order to grade and price the pearls for sale. The fewer blemishes, the more valuable the pearls are.

Some Akoya pearls of lesser quality have a nacre that’s only 1/2 mm thick.

The Mississippi river basin in the U. S. also produces some freshwater pearls.

If you want to buy pearls, consider your motivation. If you’re looking for heirloom pieces of jewelry, consider investing in Akoya pearls. If you’re buying a friend their first piece of pearl jewelry, you might want freshwater pearls so they can learn how to care for them.