Akoya  cultured pearls, also called saltwater pearls are probably the best known type of pearl -- and the one most people refer to when they say cultured pearl. Akoya pearls are round, white and rarely exceed 10 mm in size.

Akoya pearls are saltwater, or marine, pearls cultivated in Japan and produced by the Japanese Akoya oyster, Pinctada martensii or Pinctada fucata.







See the Maurice Goldman collection of cultured pearl jewelry.

Submitted by
Judith Isaacson
GIA Pearl Gemologist