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Cultured Akoya Pearls
Origin
Japan is the undisputed leader in Akoya pearl cultivation. Akoya pearls are the classics among pearls and are among the most sought-after pearls in the world. More than 100 years ago, the first pearl cultivation worldwide began there.
Development
Pinctata fucata is the biological name of the oyster. The breeding of Akoya pearls is extremely complex. The mussels can live up to eight years and require a water temperature of 25 degrees Celsius for the spawning period.
Colours
Shape
The Akoya oyster is the smallest of the pearl-producing oysters with pearls of just round and fine shape. They are particularly suitable for classic pieces of jewellery as a simple stud earring or as a restrained pearl necklace.
Diameter
An average Akoya pearl is 7 mm in diameter. Akoya pearls are currently harvested in sizes ranging from 2 mm to the very rare 10-11 mm.
Cultured tahitian Pearls
Origin
The black South Sea cultured pearls come from the islands of the South Seas, from the lagoons of French Polynesia.
Developement
"Pinctada margaritifera cumingii" or "Te ufi", as the locals call them, are the oysters in which the beautiful black pearls grow. Their shell edges are usually very dark, almost black. Hence the term black-lipped oyster.
Colours
Tahitian pearls have an extraordinary variety of colours from black, grey and green to peacock blue, magenta-blue and violet. A special feature is the lustrous play of colours.
Shape
As cultured pearls are a natural product created by living shells, it is very rare to find a perfectly round pearl - the rounder the pearl, the more precious it is.
Diameter
The "black lip" is a large oyster and its pearls correspond to a size of 8-18 mm. Smaller pearls between 6-7 mm are cultivated, but are rather rare.
Cultured South Sea Pearls
Origin
The white South Sea pearl is cultivated in dreamlike areas of untouched nature, stretching from Australia to Indonesia to the Philippines and all the way to Thailand.
Development
The white group of the mussel "Pinctada maxima" produces South Sea pearls. Even the oyster that produces these stunning pearls can reach a diameter of 25-35 cm and weigh up to 5 kg. Only the gold-lipped or white-lipped large oyster develops layers of mother-of-pearl, which give the South Sea pearl its very special lustre and colour.
Colours
Shape
One finds a large amount of different shapes ranging from round, oval, teardrop, button and baroque. This variety makes the South Sea pearl a magnificent and unique marine jewel. Each pearl is unique.
Diameter
South Sea pearls are found in the range of 8-20 mm, with an average of 12 mm. Very rarely, some pearls are found larger than 20 mm.
Cultured Ming Pearls
Origin
In recent years, the freshwater pearl has been revolutionised. Thanks to new cultivations with a nucleus, freshwater cultured pearls now also have a significantly larger diameter. Ming pearls probably got their name in reference to the great emperors of the Ming dynasty. They are becoming increasingly popular and are also setting new, fresh and fashionable accents due to the metallic colour spectrum.
Developmment
A few years ago it was possible to plant a nucleus in the "Hyriopsis cumingii" and thus fantastic results were achieved in freshwater pearl farming. This is a cross between the Akoya and freshwater mussel.
Colours
Shape
In the early days of Ming cultivation, most pearls were still fireball-shaped. From 2008 onwards, the pearls became more baroque and could be bred without the fireball-like tail. The predominant shapes are currently round, but baroque shapes are still very much in demand.
Diameter
Due to their long breeding period of up to four years, Ming pearls are between 10 and 15 mm in size. Some also grow up to 20 mm.
Cultured Freshwater Pearls
Origin
China is the most important country of origin of freshwater pearls. Although pearls are traditionally cultured in saltwater oysters, molluscs living in freshwater lakes and rivers can also produce pearls.
Development
"Hyriopsis cumingii" is the most commonly used oyster in the culture of the Chinese freshwater pearl. Unlike Akoya, Tahiti and South Sea cultured pearls from saltwater, which always have a nucleus, freshwater cultured pearls are usually seedless. The shell is much larger than the Akoya oyster and can produce several pearls at once.
Colours
The colour range is exceptionally broad. Starting with white, champagne, cream, orange to pink, apricot and violet. Due to their almost unlimited diversity in shape, colour and size, widespread availability and usually very reasonable prices, freshwater pearls enjoy great popularity.
Shape
A perfect, round freshwater pearl is very much in demand. Although many pearls look round to the naked eye, pearls without a nucleus tend to look organic or natural. Truly round freshwater pearls make up less than 0.01 percent of the harvest and are usually found only in very small sizes. The most common shape produced is the baroque shape, although other symmetrical shapes such as drops or ovals are just as common.
Diameter
Freshwater pearls vary greatly in size due to the wide range of growth times. After about one and a half years, the pearl has grown to about 3 mm. After 4 years, about 80% of the pearls reach a size of 7 mm. Basically, sizes between 2 mm and 12 mm are possible.