Let Yourself Be Enchanted By Akoya Pearls – Why They Shouldn’t Be Missing From Your Jewellery Box
When you say the word pearls, most people think of small white and round shiny objects and although there are other very interesting varieties of pearls, it’s the smooth and perfectly round ones that you’ll see most often in jewellery. These are usually Akoya pearls. So why does Akoya pearl jewellery deserve to be in your jewellery collection? That’s what we’ll consider in this article.
Where do Akoya pearls come from?
But first, let’s take a look at the origins of Akoya sea pearls and how they are created. Most of them are grown on farms in Japan, but we might also come across them in China or Vietnam. The price of Akoya pearls is now quite affordable for mere mortals thanks to an experiment carried out by the Japanese Kokichi Mikimoto in the late 19th century which produced the first artificially cultured pearl.
How does the whole process of cultivating pearls work? The pearl hunters called Ama (who can dive up to 10 metres and hold their breath for 2 minutes!) harvest oysters in the cold waters off Japan. A bead from the shell is inserted into the tissue of these oysters, which then becomes what is known as the pearl core. The animal begins to coat it in nacre so that the foreign object does not irritate it as much. And after a while, a beautiful round pearl is born!
Akoya pearls as the star in jewellery
A smooth surface, a white colour and a dazzlingly high lustre are characteristic features of these types of pearls. The experts at the KLENOTA jewellery studio see them as an absolute classic that does not age but which can be featured in new, modern designs in order to breathe new life into any lady’s jewellery box.
Minimalist pearl earrings would definitely serve you well as a timeless universal accessory. They act as a marker of elegance on an average working day but if you complement them with for instance, an Akoya pearl necklace, they’ll also look after you when you wear them with an extravagant occasion gown.
A tip from the professionals: Pearls look great when combined with luxury fabrics. Opt for a silk blouse or a cashmere pullover and accessorise it with Akoya pearl studs in white gold for instance. Guaranteed success!
How to care for and store pearls
Once you decide that you can’t live without pearl jewellery, it will also be helpful to know how to care for it. First and foremost being careful is important; pearls should not come into contact with perfume, hairspray or other cosmetics. That’s why we recommend always putting on pearl jewellery as the final step before going out, and taking it off as soon as you get home.
And even prolonged strong light or extreme temperatures are not good for pearls. Also never shower with them on and be careful of any sharp things around them. The best thing will be to always store them separately from other jewellery. You can wipe them gently with a damp cloth before placing them in a box or bag. But definitely don’t store your pearl jewellery at the bottom of your jewellery box because you’re worried about wearing it – pearls benefit from contact with your skin. They gain moisture from it and shine all the brighter for it.
Which Akoya pearl jewellery appeals to you the most?
