Every true fashion lover knows that no outfit is complete without a stunning piece of accessory. One type of accessory which will never go out of style is jewelry. Wearing it gives us the opportunity to get in touch with our feminine side while feeling confident and beautiful. It comes in many shapes, sizes and colors making it the go-to choice whenever we want to enhance our ensemble.
Out of all styles, pearl jewelry is still the most popular one. It is a unique gemstone that hails from the sea and it symbolizes purity, luxury and elegance. Because of its timeless beauty, every refined woman should always have some kind of pearl jewel in her collection.
There are four pearl types with the freshwater and Akoya pearls as the most commonly known ones. To find out more about them, here are the main characteristics of both types and why you should make them part of your jewelry box.
Photo by Schäferle from Pixabay
Akoya pearls
Color
Akoya pearls are mostly available in white with rose, silver and ivory overtones. In fact, pearls with pink overtones are the most popular ones among pearl lovers. Occasionally, this pearl type is also available in blue with hints of silver or pink.
In general, you will never come across naturally black-colored Akoya pearls unless they have been colored. This is because the mollusk only creates a pearl the same color as its mantle tissue which is never black.
Luster
The Akoya pearls are considered the most lustrous type. Since they are cultured in the cool waters of Japan, China and Vietnam, the cold temperatures have an impact on the pearl’s nacre excretion process by slowing it down. This then results in the superior reflective qualities of the Akoya pearls. In order for the pearls to be flawless or at least nearly flawless, they should always have a high luster with no visible inclusions on its surface.
Shape
Akoya pearls are typically round and symmetrical in shape which makes them the most popular and favorite type of pearl. Because farmers are usually focused on producing perfectly round Akoya pearls, they are more valued than other shapes.
Akoya pearls can also appear in other forms including drop, baroque and circle baroque shapes. In fact, the baroque pearl shape is the second most popular form of pearls among Akoya lovers.
Size
In general, Akoya pearls are produced in relatively small oysters. As a result, they are usually smaller in size than other cultured pearl types. The average Akoya pearl size is about seven millimeters.
Because the development of these pearls mostly depends on a natural process, there is no way for a pearl farmer to predict how large or small a pearl is before opening the oyster. Therefore, many Akoya pearls are in fact graduated.
Value
Akoya pearls are seen as the most beautiful pearl type as they have the highest reflective quality and come with a smooth and unblemished surface with pink, silver and ivory overtones. They are also perfectly round in shape making them the most sought-after pearl type among jewelry lovers.
These grading factors are mostly responsible for the high value of these pearls. They are considered the most expensive ones on the market along with the South Sea pearls.
Freshwater pearls
Color
Freshwater pearls rarely come in pure white and that’s why they are the most valued. They can also have a body color of cream, yellow, pink and lavender as they are generally grown in lakes, ponds and rivers. In fact, the pastel variations of these shades are what makes the freshwater pearl type so unique.
In addition, such pearls have overtones of pink, blue and green hues which look beautiful especially when they come in irregular baroque shapes.
Luster
In general, freshwater pearls are known to have the lowest luster quality out of all pearl types. This is mostly a result of the genetic imperfections that block nacre secretion and don’t give the pearl a lavish glow and shine.
Therefore, this pearl type doesn’t have that brilliant gloss that Akoya pearls do. However, due to the great advancements in the cultivation process of freshwater pearls, they have become more lustrous in recent years.
Shape
Since freshwater pearls are usually man-made, farmers tend to insert a custom shape they would like the pearls to be in and wait for the mussel to produce the natural nacre around it. Because of this, a wide variety of shapes come out making these pearls the most diverse when it comes to their appearance.
Some of the most common shapes include baroque, oval, pear, round and square. For example, square freshwater pearls are a very popular choice for making simple drop earrings.
Size
Although freshwater pearls are typically smaller than other pearl types, they still come in many sizes which range between 6 and 12 mm. In general, the most popular size of these pearls ranges between 7 and 8 mm as it provides a subtle look and it is most often used to create necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
However, when you are buying freshwater pearls, the size you choose for your jewelry is mostly dependent on your personal preferences.
Value
When determining the overall value of freshwater pearls, all factors are taken into consideration. These include its color, shape, size, luster and surface. Although this pearl type comes in a versatile amount of colors, multiple shapes and sizes, they are still less expensive than the Akoya pearls. In fact, freshwater pearls are considered the most widely available pearls today which also makes them the most affordable ones out of all types.
Photo by TheAnnAnn from Pixabay
Final thoughts
If you are looking for a jewelry style that will go with every look, then pearls are the perfect choice for you. Their versatility in color, shape and size are just some of the reasons why the popularity of pearls is increasingly growing every day.
Whether you are looking for a pure white and perfectly round pearl strand or gemstones with pink overtones and in a baroque shape, then make sure you opt for Akoya or freshwater pearls and enhance the elegance, luxury, and femininity of your overall appearance.
