A Brief History of Pearls: Size of Akoya Pearls

  A brief history of pearls

SIZE OF AKOYA PEARLS


Akoya pearls come from relatively small oysters, and as a result, the pearls themselves are typically smaller than other cultured pearls are.



Average Akoya Pearl Sizes

The average Japanese Akoya cultured pearl is about 7 millimeters in diameter. However, when they're harvested, they can range between 2 millimeters and 10 millimeters.

Graduated Pearl Strands with Akoya Cultured Pearls

Because the development of pearls depends on a natural process, it can be unpredictable. There's no way for a pearl farmer to know how large or small a pearl will be before opening the oyster, so many Akoya pearl strands feature graduated sizing.

The term graduated refers to the practice of using smaller pearls on the outsides of a strand and including larger pearls in the center. Many uniform necklaces have a range of graduation of 0.5 millimeters.

How pearls form in oysters
How pearls are harvested
How pearls brought to market
 
Know your Akoya pearls
Akoya Pearl Cultivation
Akoya Pearl Harvesting
Akoya Pearl Processing
Akoya Pearl Evaluation
 
Quality Factor One: Luster
Luster of Akoya Pearls
Quality Factor Two: Surface
Surface of Akoya Pearls
Quality Factor Three: Shape
Shape of Akoya Pearls
Quality Factor Four: Color
Color of Akoya Pearls
Quality Factor Five: Size
Size of Akoya Pearls
 
Know your South Sea pearls
South Sea Pearl Cultivation
South Sea Pearl Harvesting
South Sea Pearl Processing
South Sea Pearl Quality Evaluation
Luster of South Sea Pearls
Surface of South Sea Pearls
Shape of South Sea Pearls
Color of South Sea Pearls
Size of South Sea Pearls
 
Know your Tahitian pearls
Tahitian Pearl Cultivation
Tahitian Pearl Harvesting
Tahitian Pearl Processing
Tahitian Pearl Quality Evaluation
Luster of Tahitian Pearls
Surface of Tahitian Pearls
Shape of Tahitian Pearls
Color of Tahitian Pearls
Size of Tahitian Pearls
 
Gift Giving Occasions


  Previous   Next