What is the difference between cultured pearls and akoya pearls

Cultured Freshwater pearls from China present a rainbow of beautiful natural colors, and an incredible variety of sizes and unique pearl shapes that range from free form baroques to perfect rounds. Less expensive than saltwater cultured pearl types like Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls, Freshwater pearls are farmed in natural and man-made freshwater lakes and ponds in China.

Cultured Tahitian pearls are the most famous and prevalent naturally Black cultured saltwater pearls in the world. There is perhaps no piece of jewelry quite as exotic as a fine strand of Tahitian Pearls.

Tahitian pearls are farmed in the tropical atolls and saltwater lagoons of the islands in French Polynesia. Grown in the Pinctada margaritifera saltwater pearl oyster, which can attain sizes of up to a foot in diameter, Tahitian pearls are one of the largest cultured pearl types in the world. White and Golden South Sea pearls are the largest and most luxurious of all cultured pearl types on the market today.

A fine strand of South Sea pearls is the ultimate in luxury! South Sea pearls are farmed in the Pinctada maxima saltwater oyster, which grows up to a foot in diameter at maturity. It is the largest pearl producing oyster in production today. In order to maintain the genetic diversity of the oyster population, ONLY wild oysters are bred to create farm stock, and then released back to the oceans.

Cultured Pearl Types - Insider's Guide. Akoya Pearls. Akoya Pearl Fast Facts:. This is the classic cultured pearl necklace. Not Sure Where to Start? Shop by Style Studs Dangle Clip-on. Style Studs Dangle Clip-on. Shop Pendants. By Color White Black Gold. Shop Rings. Shop Bracelets. Shop Pearl Sets. By Type Akoya Freshwater. About Us.

Founder's Story. About Our Prices. Contact Us. How to Buy Pearls. Pearl Grading. Types of Pearls. Necklace Lengths. Pearl Colors. Good to know: Pearls, unlike other gemstones, are not found underground. Instead they are formed in living organisms like oysters and mussels. Since naturally produced pearls are almost extinct, the demand for cultured pearls produced in pearl farms hasincreased exponentially in the last century.

Verdict: Akoya pearls have a perfectly round shape with almost negligible variation, which makes them a great choice for jewelry. Bright luster and neutral colors also add to their popularity.