akoya pearl engagement ring - akoya pearlsakoya pearl engagement ring - akoya pearls

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

More Articles
Pearl Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/akoya-pearls/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/akoya-pearls/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/6050/natural-gems-and-decorative-arts/">Natural Gems &amp; Decorative Arts</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Pearl Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Pearls are the only gems found within living creatures, both salt and freshwater mollusks. However, most pearls on the market...
Read More
An Interview with Pearl Expert Jim Grahl

An Interview with Pearl Expert Jim Grahl

Curious about natural pearls? Hear what pearl expert Jim Grahl has to say about natural pearls and pearl jewelry design,...
Read More
Keshi Pearls and Soufflé PearlsKojima Pearl</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Keshi Pearls and Soufflé Pearls

Not all pearls are perfectly round and white. Learn about keshi pearls and soufflé pearls, which can form as cultured...
Read More
Appraising Pearls: How to Grade PearlsCustomMade. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Appraising Pearls: How to Grade Pearls

Novice gemologists and jewelers may find appraising pearls difficult. Our guide will show you how to appraise and grade different...
Read More

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/akoya-pearls/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/akoya-pearls/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/akoya-pearls/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

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!