Pearls, also known as the Queen of Gems in the jewelry industry, are coveted for their luxe and elegant feel. Unlike other gemstones, pearls are not mined from the ground. Instead, they are formed when substances, known as irritants, get stuck in a shellfish or clam, which then secretes a fluid known as nacre to protect itself. This entire process yields what we know as pearls.
Generally, there are two broad categories of pearls, known as natural or cultured pearls. Natural pearls are formed without any human intervention whereas cultured pearls are those that are cultivated by pearl farmers.
Another key distinction is between freshwater and saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are found in non-saline water bodies such as rivers and lakes whereas saltwater pearls are found in oceans.
Within these distinctions, there are many different types of pearls but the most sought after are freshwater and Akoya pearls. Read on to find out more about the difference between Freshwater vs Akoyas pearls so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Origin
Freshwater pearls were originally cultivated in Lake Biwa in Japan, but are now mostly cultured in China. They are formed by means of human intervention, where mantle tissue from a donor mussel is inserted in a freshwater mussel to stimulate pearl sac formation that yields freshwater pearls. The formation period is generally between 2 to 3 years, with a harvest of around 25 pearls per mussel shell.
Akoya pearls are cultured pearls that originated in Japan and are formed when a nucleus is inserted in an oyster to yield perfectly round pearls. Usually, the pearl grows in the oyster for a period of 18 months to 2 years, and yields no more than 1 or 2 Akoya pearls.
On average, freshwater pearls have a thicker nacre and a small tissue nucleus, while Akoya pearls have fewer nacre layers and a large beaded nucleus. This means that freshwater pearls tend to be more durable and suitable for everyday wear compared to Akoya pearls, which need to be cared for to avoid abrasion if worn regularly.
Shape
Freshwater pearls often come in a variety of shapes such as oval, egg, off-round, or square. The size of these shapes is determined by how long the pearl stays in the water body, the longer it stays, the bigger the pearl will be. Alternatively, Akoya pearls are famous for their perfect round shape, but other shapes such as baroque and drop can also be found on the market.
The shape of these pearls is a significant factor in grading the pearl, which determines its price and value. Freshwater pearls that are visibly off-round or oval with moderate variation have the highest grading, known as AA+ quality. Similarly, Akoya pearls that have a perfect round shape with little to no variation are categorized as AA+ and AAA quality. These differences in grading are important when it comes to the buying price of both freshwater and Akoya pearls.
Luster
The luster of a pearl refers to the light reflected by the pearl, often known as the brightness or shine of the pearl. They are an important factor for any pearl buyer as it is a visual attribute that determines the glow of a pearl when light is reflected off its surface.
Freshwater pearls generally have a softer and satiny glow and are usually known to have a lower luster than Akoya pearls. On the other hand, Akoya pearls are known to have a high shine and luster and have a glossy and mirror-like reflection to them.
Price
The price is mainly determined by the grading of the pearl, which is dependent on multiple factors such as pearl origin, size, shape, and surface thickness.
Generally, freshwater pearls are relatively less expensive than Akoya pearls. In fact, Akoya pearls are among the most expensive pearls on the market due to their superior surface quality and luster. Moreover, Akoya pearls are more expensive since they are rarer than freshwater pearls, which have a higher per harvest production. So if you feel like splurging and pampering yourself, Akoya pearls are your best bet.
Parting Thoughts
Pearls are the kind of jewelry item that will never go out of fashion. They are reminiscent of pure luxury and grandeur and have a feminine charm about them. And now that you know the differences between the two main types of pearls on the market, you can easily decide which one is right for you. Just remember to refer back to this guide when you are out shopping so that you can ask the right questions from the retailer and get the best bang for your buck.
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