Japanese Akoya

Japanese Akoya Pearl

Ise, Mie Prefecture, Japan

The heart and home of pearls, Japan produces the worlds finest Akoya pearls. For over a hundred years, pearl farming has been practiced in the sheltered inland seas across Japan. Universally recognized for their small pearls of exceptional roundness, bright white color and intense luster, Japanese Akoya pearls are the countries most famous gemological resource. Belle works with Akoya pearl farmers in Ise and Ehime provinces.

 

For over a hundred years, pearl farming has been practiced in the sheltered inland seas across Japan. Universally recognized for their small pearls of exceptional roundness, bright white color and intense luster, Japanese Akoya pearls are the countries most famous gemological resource. 

Jacqueline Kennedy once stated: “pearl are always appropriate” no other pearl exemplifies that statement like the original Japanese Akoya pearl. its small size, perfect roundness, and superior luster have charmed both men and women for countless generations.

 

Historically these pearls were first hunted in the wild by the legendary Japanese women divers known as the Ama who braved the cold coastal waters to seek out the Japanese Akoya oyster on the sea floor.


However, today Akoya pearl oysters are cultivated or cultured on floating rafts across japan, most noteably in the Ago bay area of Ise Japan, the area where Koichi Mikimoto - the man credited with making Japanese Akoya famous started his farm in the late 1800's.