Akoya Pearls: the Complete Guide
Since the beginning of the cultured pearl industry, Akoya pearls have ruled the market. Learn more about the quintessential round, white pearl.
4 Minute Read
A Brief History of Akoya Pearls
The Japanese businessman Kokichi Mikimoto first brought cultured pearls to the market. Pearls had fascinated Mikimoto from a young age. So, he decided to try to make them himself. At the time, Chinese workers had successfully cultivated so-called “blister pearls” in freshwater mollusks. Not true pearls, these are hollow dome shapes that grow attached to the insides of mollusks’ shells. Mikimoto decided to attempt the same, but with saltwater mollusks.
In 1890, he started with specimens of Pinctada fucata, the Akoya pearl oyster, and found success quickly. Ten years later, although business was booming, he was unsatisfied. What he really wanted was a perfect, round pearl, unattached to the shell.
Continuing to experiment, he found a way to cultivate whole pearls in 1905. By covering a seed with another mollusk’s donor tissue, he was able to induce the formation of a pearl sac, and the bead grew layers of nacre. So, he applied for a patent. However two others had successfully cultured pearls using a similar process, but with nuclei of silver and gold and only a small piece of mantle tissue.
Eventually, the inventors came to an agreement. In…
Addison Rice
A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison’s interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth’s geological processes began in her elementary school’s environmental club. When she isn’t writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.
Related Articles
Pearl Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
An Interview with Pearl Expert Jim Grahl
Keshi Pearls and Soufflé Pearls
Appraising Pearls: How to Grade Pearls
Latest Articles
Classic Engagement Ring Stones
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Gemstone Radiation Treatment
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!