Akoya vs South Sea Pearls
Wondering what the differences between Akoya vs South Sea pearls are? Both are stunning Saltwater pearls, but they are produced by two different species of pearl shell that are cultivated in different part of Australia.
At Broken Bay Pearl Farm, we grow Australian Akoya pearls in the cooler, nutrient-rich water of the New South Wales lower Hawkesbury River. Further north, our sister farm, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, we grow Australian South Sea pearls within the pristine, tropical waters of the Kimberley Coast in Western Australia.
Here’s everything you need to know about the difference between Akoya vs South Sea Pearls, two extraordinary Australian-grown pearl species.
Key Takeaways
- Australian Akoya and South Sea pearls come from two different pearl shell species, grown in different environments.
- Australian Akoya pearls are cultivated at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm in New South Wales, coming from the Pinctada fucata pearl shell species.
- Australian South Sea pearls are grown at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in Western Australia, coming from the Pinctada maxima pearl shell species.
- Akoya pearls appear in a greater range of colours, from white, silver, cream, gold, blue or pink. This is different to Australian South Sea pearls that are typically a more white, silver and cream tone.
- Akoya oysters are much smaller, therefore producing smaller pearls, while South Sea oysters are the largest pearl producing oysters – prized for their large pearls and stunning Mother of Pearl.
Summarise this article
AKOYA PEARLS VS. SOUTH SEA PEARLS
FAQs
- PEARLS
- SPECIES
- PEARL TYPE
- FARM LOCATION
- TYPICAL COLOURS
- TYPICAL SHAPE
- TYPICAL SIZE RANGE
- FEATURE
- AKOYA PEARLS
- Pinctada fucata
- Australian Akoya
- Broken Bay Pearl Farm
- White, silver, cream, gold
- Round, button, drop, and baroque
- 4mm - 8mm
- Used by Mikimoto in Japan for over 120 years to create the original pearl.
- SOUTH SEA PEARLS
- Pinctada maxima
- Australian South Sea
- Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
- White, silver
- Round, button, drop, and baroque
- 9mm - 16mm
- The world's largest pearl shell and the main source of Mother of Pearl buttons.
What are Akoya Pearls?
Akoya pearls are a type of saltwater pearl that comes from the Pinctada fucata, a smaller pearl species found in the colder coastal waters. This includes Japan, as well as Vietnam, Korea and Australia.
Our Akoya pearls are cultivated in NSW, at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Our pearl shell thrive in the sheltered estuaries and marine environments of the lower Hawkesbury River where we call home.
Because the Akoya pearl shell is much smaller than the South Sea pearl shell (Pinctada maxima), the pearls it produces are typically smaller in size. In fact, the Akoya pearl shell is actually the smallest of all of the pearl-producing molluscs. Most Akoya pearls measure between 2mm and 8mm.
But what they lack in size, they make up for in colour and lustre. The colour of Akoya pearls can vary, so while most people think of white pearls when they think of Akoya pearls, there are many other colours to choose from. This is because the colour of an Akoya pearl is determined by the environment and the diet of the oyster. Some of the different colours that Akoya pearls can include are white, cream, blue, and pink.
Akoya pearls are Saltwater pearls. While their Freshwater cousins average an enormous 20 to 50 pearls in a single culturing cycle, it would be extremely rare for an Akoya pearl shell to produce more than two. Unlike Freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls are cultivated in colder saltwater bodies of water – where Freshwater pearls are cultivated and harvested in freshwater bodies of water.
There are a few things you can do to determine if a pearl is real or not. The first thing you can do is look at the surface of the pearl. A real pearl is more likely to have surface irregularities, unless it’s very expensive, while a fake pearl often has a perfect surface. This means fake pearls will feel much smoother to the touch than real pearls, which have a gritty texture. You can also apply the tooth test to check for grittiness. This involves rubbing the pearl lightly against the front of your tooth. Remember not to rub the pearl against the side of your tooth, as this may scratch the pearl. Again, you’re looking for a gritty texture, which you won’t get if the pearl is fake.
Some black Akoya pearls are dyed. Both our Australian Akoya pearls and Saltwater pearls are not chemically treated or enhanced in any way. Exactly as nature intended our pearls to be, is how we set them into jewellery in their purest form, direct from the ocean. In some countries, you may come across chemically treated or enhanced Akoya pearls, so it’s always a good idea to ask the question about the purity and provenance of your pearls before making a decision on your purchase. If you’re seeking a black pearl, the Pinctada margaritifera or Tahitian pearl shell produces black pearls and these pearls can be found in French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and the Micronesian Islands.
Akoya pearls are graded based on their lustre, surface quality, shape, size and colour.
Most pearl organisations use the same virtues or value factors to describe and classify pearls: shape, size, colour, surface and lustre. Grading systems have been developed to cater to specific pearl types and usually combine lustre and surface to reflect quality as shape, size and colour are considered highly subjective.
The system we use for grading Akoya pearls are on a scale from A to AAA with A being the lowest quality and AAA being the highest quality. As mentioned, the factors that are considered when grading pearls are size, shape, colour, lustre, surface quality, and nacre thickness, although this last factor is usually only taken into account when evaluating pearls of the highest quality, and the process to do so often involves using x-ray technology or looking through the drill holes to see where the nucleus and nacre coating meet.
What are South Sea Pearls?
South Sea pearls are the largest and rarest of all cultured pearls. Grown within the Pinctada maxima pearl shell, these precious gems are cultivated in tropical environments like those at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in Western Australia.
They are also found in other parts of northern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma, and French Polynesia – where the name South Sea originates from the location of the shell, being only found in the southern hemisphere.
Yes – just like Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls are cultured.
The process begins with our expert technicians at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm gently implanting a nucleus and a small piece of mantle tissue into the pearl shell. The pearl shell is then returned to the ocean, cleaned regularly, spending the next two to three years (hopefully!) forming a pearl.
The pristine, mineral-rich waters of the Kimberley play a huge role in developing the exceptional quality that our Australian South Sea pearls are famous for.
South Sea pearls are considered the rarest of all types of pearls. They come from the Pinctada maxima shell, where the name “South Sea” originates from the location of the shell, as these shells are found in the southern hemisphere – particularly around northern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma and French Polynesia.
Our South Sea pearls are sustainably cultivated in the pristine and remote waters of our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, located on the Kimberley Coast, WA.
There are a few things you can do to determine if a pearl is real or not.
The first thing you can do is look at the surface of the pearl. A real pearl is more likely to have surface irregularities, unless it’s very expensive, while a fake pearl often has a perfect surface. This means fake pearls will feel much smoother to the touch than real pearls, which have a gritty texture. You can also apply the tooth test to check for grittiness. This involves rubbing the pearl lightly against the front of your tooth. Remember not to rub the pearl against the side of your tooth, as this may scratch the pearl. Again, you’re looking for a gritty texture, which you won’t get if the pearl is fake.
The second thing you can do is look at the colour of the pearl. Fake pearls have a uniform colour, so if a pearl is real, what we’re looking for is a translucent overtone that could appear either green or pink over the main colour.
Exceptional quality pearls may however have a uniform colour, so this factor should not be used in isolation.
The colour of any pearl is only one component of the grading system used to determine the quality of the pearl.
The highest grades for colour are given to pearls with complete colour coverage and little differentiation in hue.
Colour is also the most subjective aspect of the grading process, and only reveals its true nature when the pearl is applied on the skin of the wearer. It does influence price, and like all things related to gems, rarity and beauty will attract a higher value.
Unlike many pearls on the global market, the colour of all Pearls of Australia pearls are natural and have not undergone any chemical enhancement.
Most Australian South Sea pearls sit on the silver to white colour spectrum.
Akoya vs. South Sea Pearls. What’s right for me?
Choosing between Australian Akoya vs. South Sea pearls come down to personal preference:
- Akoya pearls are smaller, typically more symmetrical, and have a greater variety of colours.
- South Sea pearls are larger, and can make for a more statement piece when featured in unique jewellery designs.
Both of these Saltwater pearls offer a unique beauty and character, and both are proudly grown in Australia by our pearl farmers at Broken Bay and Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
Still Unsure What Pearl’s Right For You?
If you’re still not sure which pearl’s right for you, book a complimentary consultation with one of our friendly team members – we’d love to help you discover the perfect pearl.
Akoya vs South Sea FAQs
Our Akoya pearls are grown in the lower Hawkesbury River at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm, NSW.
Not all South Sea pearls are Australian. Some grow in Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma and French Polynesia. Our Australian South Sea pearls are sustainably cultivated in Australia at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in Western Australia.
You can absolutely visit our pearl farms! Not only can you visit, but we have tours and experiences at our farms – the perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of pearls. Learn more about our Broken Bay and Cygnet Bay Pearl Farms.
The main differences between Akoya and South Sea pearls are size, lustre, rarity and environment. Both are saltwater pearls, but they are produced by different pearl species in different marine environments.
Akoya pearls, cultivated at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm on the lower Hawkesbury River region north of Sydney, are known for their bright lustre. South Sea pearls are typically larger. Akoya pearls are often chosen for classic strands and earrings, while South Sea pearls are great for these pieces but are also known for statement pieces.
Authentic Akoya and South Sea pearl jewellery in Australia is best purchased from pearl farms directly and specialist pearl retailers.
Broken Bay Pearl Farm is both, it is a pearl farm and a specialist pearl retailer. Our Pearls of Australia website offers Australian Akoya pearl jewellery online, with each piece accompanied with its Certificate of Authenticity, outlining its origin, grading and jewellery details.
For South Sea pearls, buyers should do the same. We have a sister pearl farm, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, on the Dampier Peninsula of Western Australia where we cultivate Australian South Sea pearls. Our Pearls of Australia website also offers stunning South Sea pearl jewellery.
We recommend choosing sellers who can provide the details of a pearl, including a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure that the pearl jewellery is authentic.
Yes, South Sea pearls are generally more expensive than Akoya pearls in the Australian market. South Sea pearls are larger, take longer to cultivate and are produced in small quantities. Akoya pearls, including those grown at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm in NSW, are smaller and more accessible in price, making them a popular choice for classic pearl jewellery.
Akoya pearls are typically within the 5mm to 8mm range, with sizes larger than this considered premium. Our Australian Akoya pearls are grown on the lower Hawkesbury River and are prized for their quality nacre, variety of colours and high lustre.
South Sea pearls usually range from 8mm to 16mm, and sometimes even larger, making them the largest cultured saltwater pearl in the world. Our sister pearl farm, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, carefully cultivates these precious gems. The size difference is one of the most noticeable distinctions between Akoya and South Sea pearls.
You can buy certified Akoya pearls directly from us at Broken Bay Pearl Farm in New South Wales, only 45 minutes north of Sydney. We also sell our Akoya pearls from our head office in Perth, Western Australia.
Purchasing from a pearl farm or pearl specialist ensures the Akoya pearls are correctly identified, graded and backed with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Akoya pearls are special for their classic round shape, high lustre, and timeless elegance. They are the traditional pearl used in iconic pearl strands and stud earrings. Australian Akoya pearls are grown at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm, where we produce pearls known for their high quality nacre and bright lustre.
High-quality pearls are judged by:
- Thick nacre
- Natural colour and lustre
- Clean surface
- Symmetrical shape
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Good matching in strands and earrings
Broken Bay Pearl Farm harvests our Australian Akoya pearls, which are then all carefully graded in our Perth Studio by our expert team of pearl graders.
Neither pearl is universally better, it depends on your style and preference. Akoya pearls are ideal for classic, everyday jewellery while South Sea pearls are chosen for their statement appeal. Australian Akoya pearls from our Broken Bay Pearl Farm are especially suited to refined, wearable pearl designs. The best choice comes down to personal style.