TRUE AAA Quality 7.5mm x 8 mm Japanese Akoya natural color Cultured Pearl Necklace
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please email sales@americanpearl.com.
- Item #: MM75X8MM
Retail Price: $11,900
Our Price: $2,250
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ABOUT THIS NECKLACE
This necklaces comes with an Identification Report shown above using the international standard GIA Pearl Grading System, prepared by a graduate gemologist from the GIA.
This 7.5 x 8mm natural color Japanese Akoya cultured pearl necklace is American Pearl's best-selling size, and the last size in the lower bracket of more readily available sizes; a jump to the next size, 8 x 8.5mm, more or less doubles the strand's price. It's really the only size one could call neither "too small" nor "too big." It's a staple of any woman's wardrobe; she can dress it up or dress it down. It's not too showy, and it very tastefully exudes an image of importance; a classic for the upwardly mobile career woman. It also suits very well as a wedding-day gift or a wedding anniversary gift through the fifth year of marriage.
ABOUT THE QUALITY
The "AAA Quality Pearls" shown in this necklace exhibit very high luster and have very thick nacre (the skin of the pearl). In fact, nacre thickness and luster are directly correlated. In order for a finer quality Japanese Akoya cultured pearl to have very high luster, it must have very thick nacre. According to the Gemological Institute of America, pearls with very high luster (AAA Quality) must have at least .5 millimeters of nacre thickness on most of the pearls.
PURCHASE THE FINEST QUALITY PEARLS IN YOUR PRICE RANGE
American Pearl always advises you to purchase the finest quality pearls in your price range; even if this means stepping down to a smaller size more brilliant pearl. There are numerous reasons why this holds true. Finer quality pearls have more of the qualities for which people are enamored with pearls in the first place. That is, they are more beautiful as they exhibit higher luster. Beauty is the paramount quality of any jewelry or gem that secures its value. The more beautiful a gem has the more valuable it is. Finer quality pearls therefore have the best chance in holding their value and appreciating in value over time. In addition to beauty and value, finer quality pearls are more durable. In order for a strand of pearls to exhibit higher luster, it must have a thicker nacre. Nacre is the so called "skin" of a pearl and luster and nacre thickness are directly correlated. Lastly, because finer quality pearls are indeed more beautiful, they will be enjoyed more. Hence, this is why purchasing the finest quality pearls in your price range is always the wisest choice.
ABOUT SURFACE QUALITY
At American Pearl, we want you to know that whatever pearl strand you choose, you can be sure that the pearls on your necklace will be unblemished. In keeping with this strict selection system, American Pearl does not deal with blemished, marked pearls. Blemished pearls whose surfaces show imperfections, pitting, spots or other irregularities are worth half the value of perfectly clean unblemished pearls. Because the pearls we purchase from our farmers consistently and continuously for the last 50 years are the top 1% of the harvest, you can be sure that the pearls offered to you from American Pearl are indeed finer and cleaner than any pearls offered to your from an outside source. As America's leading pearl company, it has become the mantra of our founder, Charlie Bakhash, to offer our customers the cleanest finest quality pearls in the world—A reputation we have earned through the cleanliness of our pearls.
Yet, why are we so insistent in boasting about our pearls' superior quality and unblemished surfaces? Time and time again, consumers unknowingly purchase pearls they think are fine quality, yet overlook the most critical factor: the pearl's surface. Purchasing a strand of pearls that is blemished is like buying a stock without knowing its price. Or consider purchasing a piece of real estate without knowing its location. The analogy is the same for pearls, except this time, it is cleanliness of the pearl's surface that is the key factor in determining its value. A wise consumer will insist that the pearls on their necklace are perfectly round, perfectly clean and matched for bodycolor and luster. The composition of a perfect strand of pearls is an art that we have perfected for over 50 years of pearl trading.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS CULTURED PEARL STRAND
This fine quality pearl strand contains pearls that are perfectly matched for bodycolor, luster, shape and overtone. This strand earns the AAA quality grade which is the highest grade of the (1) A, (2) A+, (3) AA and (4) AAA grading system popularized by Mikimoto. Be especially cautious of pearls that are advertised as "AA+" or "AAAA" that break from the standard grading system popularized by fine jewelry stores. These trumped-up grades seek to mislead consumers into purchasing qualities that do not exist.
Generally speaking, the finer the grade, the more luster the pearls exhibit. Luster is defined as the mirror like quality of a pearl and really is the single characteristic that draws people to pearls. Technically, luster is defined as the amount of light that reflects off of the pearl's surface and reaches your eye.
WHITE BODYCOLOR PEARLS ARE WORTH MORE
In addition to selling you clean pearls, American Pearl is renowned for selling you the whitest bodycolor pearls with your choice of a silver or rose overtone. American Pearl does not sell you yellow creamy pearls. White Bodycolor pearls (with your choice of silver or rose overtones) are the most valuable bodycolor pearls in the marketplace compared to their light cream counterparts. Many consumers unknowingly purchase a strand with a slightly light cream or yellowish bodycolor to the pearl which are worth considerably less. In fact, according to the the Gemological Institute of America, pearls with a light cream bodycolor are worth 40% less than pearls with a white bodycolor. So examine the pearls you are considering very carefully. Are they creamy? Yellowish? Or are they white? Be especially doubtful of pearls that claim to be "bright white" or other made up names that are not part of the official nomenclature used by the Gemological Institute of America as shown by the chart below:
EXAMINING PEARLS UNDER CONTROLLED LIGHTING
When examining a strand of pearls, it is advised that you do so under a controlled setting for grading pearls. The Gemological Institute of America, through their coursework and literature, recommends that you always examine your pearls under a fluorescent light against an either white or grey background. A glass surface is the least effective area on which to examine pearls as the bodycolor of the pearls in question is difficult to detect. In fact, when the owner's of American Pearl sell their pearl's to Tiffany & Co., it is our experience that they always use a fluorescent lamp for grading. This setting creates a neutral environment where the nuances in bodycolor—from white to light cream—can be identified. Because a pearl's surface is so reflective, one must consider very carefully the light source used to examine and grade pearls.
THE PEARL MIRAGE
One should be particularly skeptical of an incandescent light source used for the grading of pearls. Incandescent light, by its very nature, shows a fuller distribution of color from the color spectrum. When used in the grading of pearls, one may be associating attributes to the reflective qualities of the pearl's surface that are in actuality originating from the light source. This PEARL MIRAGE does not take place under fluorescent lights.
The most valuable lesson to be learned here is that upon the examination of pearls, make sure you are grading the pearls, not the light source. The quality and awe of a fine quality pearl seen under a fluorescent lamp will be obvious. Because pearls have hundreds of concentric layers of skin (what we call nacre) that are translucent, reflecting light as well as allowing light to pass through each layer, a "play-of-light" is achieved on the surface of a pearl which gives PEARLS the very qualities for which people have marveled in awe over them.
It is for this reason that pearls with bodycolors of white are featured at American Pearl, Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto. They are the most valuable in the world.
NECKLACE LENGTH AND GRADUATION
This necklace comes standard length at 16 inches long which includes the clasp. If you are looking for a longer strand, please click the pop-up menu located below near the order button to choose any length up to 51 inches.
All the pearls begin at 7.5 millimeters on either end of the necklace and slowly graduate to 8mm millimeters in the necklace's center. These pearls were farmed in the saltwater oceans off the shores of Japan. This is where the inventor of the cultured pearl made his first round cultured pearl that changed the world.
This necklaces comes with an Identification Report shown above using the international standard GIA Pearl Grading System, prepared by a graduate gemologist from the GIA.
This 7.5 x 8mm natural color Japanese Akoya cultured pearl necklace is American Pearl's best-selling size, and the last size in the lower bracket of more readily available sizes; a jump to the next size, 8 x 8.5mm, more or less doubles the strand's price. It's really the only size one could call neither "too small" nor "too big." It's a staple of any woman's wardrobe; she can dress it up or dress it down. It's not too showy, and it very tastefully exudes an image of importance; a classic for the upwardly mobile career woman. It also suits very well as a wedding-day gift or a wedding anniversary gift through the fifth year of marriage.
ABOUT THE QUALITY
The "AAA Quality Pearls" shown in this necklace exhibit very high luster and have very thick nacre (the skin of the pearl). In fact, nacre thickness and luster are directly correlated. In order for a finer quality Japanese Akoya cultured pearl to have very high luster, it must have very thick nacre. According to the Gemological Institute of America, pearls with very high luster (AAA Quality) must have at least .5 millimeters of nacre thickness on most of the pearls.
PURCHASE THE FINEST QUALITY PEARLS IN YOUR PRICE RANGE
American Pearl always advises you to purchase the finest quality pearls in your price range; even if this means stepping down to a smaller size more brilliant pearl. There are numerous reasons why this holds true. Finer quality pearls have more of the qualities for which people are enamored with pearls in the first place. That is, they are more beautiful as they exhibit higher luster. Beauty is the paramount quality of any jewelry or gem that secures its value. The more beautiful a gem has the more valuable it is. Finer quality pearls therefore have the best chance in holding their value and appreciating in value over time. In addition to beauty and value, finer quality pearls are more durable. In order for a strand of pearls to exhibit higher luster, it must have a thicker nacre. Nacre is the so called "skin" of a pearl and luster and nacre thickness are directly correlated. Lastly, because finer quality pearls are indeed more beautiful, they will be enjoyed more. Hence, this is why purchasing the finest quality pearls in your price range is always the wisest choice.
ABOUT SURFACE QUALITY
At American Pearl, we want you to know that whatever pearl strand you choose, you can be sure that the pearls on your necklace will be unblemished. In keeping with this strict selection system, American Pearl does not deal with blemished, marked pearls. Blemished pearls whose surfaces show imperfections, pitting, spots or other irregularities are worth half the value of perfectly clean unblemished pearls. Because the pearls we purchase from our farmers consistently and continuously for the last 50 years are the top 1% of the harvest, you can be sure that the pearls offered to you from American Pearl are indeed finer and cleaner than any pearls offered to your from an outside source. As America's leading pearl company, it has become the mantra of our founder, Charlie Bakhash, to offer our customers the cleanest finest quality pearls in the world—A reputation we have earned through the cleanliness of our pearls.
Yet, why are we so insistent in boasting about our pearls' superior quality and unblemished surfaces? Time and time again, consumers unknowingly purchase pearls they think are fine quality, yet overlook the most critical factor: the pearl's surface. Purchasing a strand of pearls that is blemished is like buying a stock without knowing its price. Or consider purchasing a piece of real estate without knowing its location. The analogy is the same for pearls, except this time, it is cleanliness of the pearl's surface that is the key factor in determining its value. A wise consumer will insist that the pearls on their necklace are perfectly round, perfectly clean and matched for bodycolor and luster. The composition of a perfect strand of pearls is an art that we have perfected for over 50 years of pearl trading.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS CULTURED PEARL STRAND
This fine quality pearl strand contains pearls that are perfectly matched for bodycolor, luster, shape and overtone. This strand earns the AAA quality grade which is the highest grade of the (1) A, (2) A+, (3) AA and (4) AAA grading system popularized by Mikimoto. Be especially cautious of pearls that are advertised as "AA+" or "AAAA" that break from the standard grading system popularized by fine jewelry stores. These trumped-up grades seek to mislead consumers into purchasing qualities that do not exist.
Generally speaking, the finer the grade, the more luster the pearls exhibit. Luster is defined as the mirror like quality of a pearl and really is the single characteristic that draws people to pearls. Technically, luster is defined as the amount of light that reflects off of the pearl's surface and reaches your eye.
WHITE BODYCOLOR PEARLS ARE WORTH MORE
In addition to selling you clean pearls, American Pearl is renowned for selling you the whitest bodycolor pearls with your choice of a silver or rose overtone. American Pearl does not sell you yellow creamy pearls. White Bodycolor pearls (with your choice of silver or rose overtones) are the most valuable bodycolor pearls in the marketplace compared to their light cream counterparts. Many consumers unknowingly purchase a strand with a slightly light cream or yellowish bodycolor to the pearl which are worth considerably less. In fact, according to the the Gemological Institute of America, pearls with a light cream bodycolor are worth 40% less than pearls with a white bodycolor. So examine the pearls you are considering very carefully. Are they creamy? Yellowish? Or are they white? Be especially doubtful of pearls that claim to be "bright white" or other made up names that are not part of the official nomenclature used by the Gemological Institute of America as shown by the chart below:
EXAMINING PEARLS UNDER CONTROLLED LIGHTING
When examining a strand of pearls, it is advised that you do so under a controlled setting for grading pearls. The Gemological Institute of America, through their coursework and literature, recommends that you always examine your pearls under a fluorescent light against an either white or grey background. A glass surface is the least effective area on which to examine pearls as the bodycolor of the pearls in question is difficult to detect. In fact, when the owner's of American Pearl sell their pearl's to Tiffany & Co., it is our experience that they always use a fluorescent lamp for grading. This setting creates a neutral environment where the nuances in bodycolor—from white to light cream—can be identified. Because a pearl's surface is so reflective, one must consider very carefully the light source used to examine and grade pearls.
THE PEARL MIRAGE
One should be particularly skeptical of an incandescent light source used for the grading of pearls. Incandescent light, by its very nature, shows a fuller distribution of color from the color spectrum. When used in the grading of pearls, one may be associating attributes to the reflective qualities of the pearl's surface that are in actuality originating from the light source. This PEARL MIRAGE does not take place under fluorescent lights.
The most valuable lesson to be learned here is that upon the examination of pearls, make sure you are grading the pearls, not the light source. The quality and awe of a fine quality pearl seen under a fluorescent lamp will be obvious. Because pearls have hundreds of concentric layers of skin (what we call nacre) that are translucent, reflecting light as well as allowing light to pass through each layer, a "play-of-light" is achieved on the surface of a pearl which gives PEARLS the very qualities for which people have marveled in awe over them.
It is for this reason that pearls with bodycolors of white are featured at American Pearl, Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto. They are the most valuable in the world.
NECKLACE LENGTH AND GRADUATION
This necklace comes standard length at 16 inches long which includes the clasp. If you are looking for a longer strand, please click the pop-up menu located below near the order button to choose any length up to 51 inches.
All the pearls begin at 7.5 millimeters on either end of the necklace and slowly graduate to 8mm millimeters in the necklace's center. These pearls were farmed in the saltwater oceans off the shores of Japan. This is where the inventor of the cultured pearl made his first round cultured pearl that changed the world.
Product Reviews
I was looking to match a Mikimoto strand and American Pearl's AAA was an exact match if not better. You can really count on these guys for fine quality.
Andrea
from Philadelphia, PA
Great product. Great service. The best online merchant I have found.
John
from Tampa, FL
Purchase 7.5 x 8mm pearl necklace (fine or very fine. AAA on Mikimoto Scale. Took for independent appraisal and was told that I was the first person that day to get what I paid for. I comparison shopped for weeks before purchase. I could have foolishly spent triple what I spent. Total purchase was $2,200. Appraised retail value was $3,300. Top price seen for nearly identical item was $8,100. Received order next morning. I never write reviews. These people really know how to run a business. Read How to Buy Pearls if you are going to spend any money. 1 Hour read may save you thousands.
Stephen J.
from Washington, DC
his is a wonderful store. Experts in pearls are so hard to find and I am grateful that I found American Pearl. Even though I ordered over the web, I talked to them several times and they were very helpful with my selection. There was no sales pressure and even when I asked about the higher end pearls they assured me that I would be happy with my original selection and I am. The pearls arrived promptly by 2 day shipping and they are beautiful. I presented them to my daughter last night at her college graduation party and she loves them. American Pearl has gained a customer and Ill be sure to go by their store in New York when I travel that way. By the way I have purchased Mikimoto before and these pearls are just as beautiful. Thanks again.
Thomas
from Houston, TX
Great company , great product .Pearls were as described, they arrived without delay. Who would have thought you could buy a luxury item like pearls over the internet? Really happy with my purchase from American Pearl,would definitely use them again,highly recommended.
Steve
from Henderson, NV
This story starts during the 1960's in Connecticut, when, as a teenager my Mother came home from a trip to New York City with a beautiful Pearl Necklace. She was thrilled since these were of the finest quality, and, always practical, had never believed in expensive jewelry. She told me that my Dad had found a special jeweler who dealt only in Pearls, and had made a gift of them over a romantic dinner the previous evening. As a teenager, I was generally more interested in flying small planes, than in such things as Pearl necklaces, but I did remember she said that the Jewelers name was Charlie. It's amazing what you remember in life.
Now we will fast forward 40 years later, and late in the fall of 2005 I went on a quest to find a special Pearl necklace for the love of my life. I knew precisely what I was searching for, but I found that most Jewelers really don't seem to understand Pearls. From my trusty computer I researched various internet sites about the subject and came upon this place called American Pearl. Just by chance I noticed that there was a profile of the company's founder, and being interested, clicked on the picture. The biography was interesting and confirmed to me his Pearl Pedigree. It suddenly hit me that his name was Charlie. Not wanting a mundane necklace, but a specific arrangement, I called the store in Manhattan. I was delighted to find that the founder's son had assumed the reins of the business. Eddie was the expert for whom I had searched, and I immediately knew he could be trusted to produce the special piece which I desired. Not only did he produce this necklace, but he personally delivered it to my hotel in Mid-Town, before my arrival, so that the gift could be a romantic surprise. In the meantime, I mentioned the coincidence of his Dad's name, and my story. After some discussion, it seems that two generations of my family have now purchased a gift of great love from this fine and expert family. As a postscript, my love and I went to the store to meet Eddie, and pick up some matching studs. To my great surprise, and delight it seems that a great circle was completed when "Charlie" (Who is only there rarely) emerged from an office to meet us. I cannot begin to thank these fine people for their kindness, professionalism, and of course, the unanticipated continuation of a family tradition.
Now we will fast forward 40 years later, and late in the fall of 2005 I went on a quest to find a special Pearl necklace for the love of my life. I knew precisely what I was searching for, but I found that most Jewelers really don't seem to understand Pearls. From my trusty computer I researched various internet sites about the subject and came upon this place called American Pearl. Just by chance I noticed that there was a profile of the company's founder, and being interested, clicked on the picture. The biography was interesting and confirmed to me his Pearl Pedigree. It suddenly hit me that his name was Charlie. Not wanting a mundane necklace, but a specific arrangement, I called the store in Manhattan. I was delighted to find that the founder's son had assumed the reins of the business. Eddie was the expert for whom I had searched, and I immediately knew he could be trusted to produce the special piece which I desired. Not only did he produce this necklace, but he personally delivered it to my hotel in Mid-Town, before my arrival, so that the gift could be a romantic surprise. In the meantime, I mentioned the coincidence of his Dad's name, and my story. After some discussion, it seems that two generations of my family have now purchased a gift of great love from this fine and expert family. As a postscript, my love and I went to the store to meet Eddie, and pick up some matching studs. To my great surprise, and delight it seems that a great circle was completed when "Charlie" (Who is only there rarely) emerged from an office to meet us. I cannot begin to thank these fine people for their kindness, professionalism, and of course, the unanticipated continuation of a family tradition.
Eric
from New York, NY