Japanese Cultured Akoya Pearls
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1910s Unknown Brooches
Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 9k Gold
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Japanese More Necklaces
Cultured Pearl
Vintage 1960s Japanese Neoclassical Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Japanese Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Japanese More Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, ...
1990s Japanese Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Japanese Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Cufflinks
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, ...
2010s Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Japanese More Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Japanese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Japanese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Retro Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Link Necklaces
Aquamarine, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold...
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gol...
Mid-20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Artisan Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
1990s Japanese Stud Earrings
Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary More Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Drop Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Modern More Rings
Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern More Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
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Japanese Cultured Akoya Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Japanese Cultured Akoya Pearls?
The Legacy of Pearl in Jewelry Design
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.
- What are Akoya cultured pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Akoya cultured pearls are pearls that come from Pinctada fucata martensii oysters. These molluscs are commonly referred to as Akoya oysters, accounting for the name of the pearls. The word “cultured” means that the pearls are real but were produced by oysters with the help of human intervention. Cultured pearls are very common, as naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of pearl jewelry.