Akoya Pearl
The classic small round white saltwater pearl from Japan and China, usually 5mm to 9mm. The pearl in a traditional single-strand necklace.
Akoya pearls are grown in Pinctada fucata, a small oyster that produces one or two pearls per cycle around a round bead. That bead is why Akoya roundness is so consistent.
The signature is sharp, mirror-like lustre with a rose or silver overtone. Held under a light, a good Akoya reflects a defined bright spot rather than a soft glow.
Nearly all Akoya are bleached and lightly processed after harvest. This is standard industry practice, not a defect.
When you are buying
Akoya is what most people picture when they picture a pearl necklace. If that specific look is what you want, a well-matched AAA freshwater round strand delivers a very similar effect at a much lower price, with thicker nacre.
Round sea pearls
65 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹7,245.
4.025 Carat (4.47 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 8.1mm Round, AA Quality
4.06 Carat (4.51 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 8.1mm Round, AA Quality
3.76 Carat (4.18 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 7.9mm Round, AAA Quality
4.37 Carat (4.86 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 8.3mm Round, AA Quality
3.96 Carat (4.4 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 8.1mm Round, AAA Quality
4.185 Carat (4.65 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 8.1mm Round, AAA Quality
4.24 Carat (4.71 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 8.2mm Round, AAA Quality
4.31 Carat (4.79 Ratti) Golden South Sea Pearl - 8.2mm Round, AAA Quality
Saltwater Pearl
A pearl grown in an oyster in the sea. Rounder and rarer than freshwater, and considerably more expensive.
Lustre
How sharply a pearl reflects light. The single most important quality factor, and the one you can judge without any training.
Round
A true sphere. The rarest and most expensive pearl shape, and the benchmark every other shape is priced against.
Overtone
A translucent secondary colour lying over a pearl's main body colour, most often rose, silver or green.