If you always thought diamonds were a girl's best friend, think again! 
 For hundreds of years, pearls have been a favorite jewel.  They are incredibly beautiful and many are valuable, no matter the type you choose from. Whether you want to purchase or sell a piece of jewelry with pearls Akoya, you should get to know some facts about this little beauty.

Freshwater vs Pearls Akoya

While there are a few different kinds of pearls, these two tend to be the most common because both *can* be on the lower to medium end in terms of pricing, but they are also pretty easy to find and tend to be cultivated the most. 

But, if you aren't sure which is the right choice for you, there is a little cheat sheet below to help you choose a little more wisely.

Freshwater Pearls
- These make great "first pearls" for young women and girls.  They tend to have a lower price point so if something happens to them, the loss isn't as astronomical.

-  This is an everyday pearl.  It doesn't matter what you're wearing, where you're going, or what the weather is like, these can be worn every day if you want.

- You have a budget and it's under $300.

Pearls Akoya
- You want a high-end pearl

- You don't mind spending over $300 or more

- You want a strand of pearls that will last and possible be handed down through the generations or as a keepsake.  These will last for years to come.

- Usually worn as "special days" pearls.  These are generally worn to special events such as church, weddings, get-togethers, dinner parties, holidays, etc.

How Big Are Pearls Akoya?

While these types of pearls are smaller than freshwater or Tahitian pearls, they are just as beautiful and have that luster and shine that simply cannot be beaten!  Typically speaking, Akoya pearls are anywhere from 5mm to 11mm - but 10-11 mm tend to be rarer.  The best-valued pearls are going to be right around 7mm to 7.5mm - once the size starts getting bigger, so will the price tag.

Characteristics

While Akoya pearls have been around since 1893, these cultured pearls have changed little over time.  These are a few characteristics you can expect to see with an Akoya Pearl:

Perfectly Round:  Unlike other pearls that have slight changes in the shape, this pearl is always perfectly round.  

Perfect Matches:  When buying a pearl necklace, you will see an identical look to ALL the pearls on the strand.  

Primary Body Colors:  While white is the most common overtone you'll see, you can also find pearls that have slight overtones of cream, silver and even rose.  If you like the rose undertones, you can rest assured that the rest of the pearls on the strand will all look about the same or exactly identical.  They are reliable in both quality and in consistency. 

If you're looking for or thinking of a strand of pearls, chances are you're thinking about Akoya pearls considering they are one of the most common types.  However, if you're looking for something a little different consider the Tahitian Pearls or the South Sea Pearls. South Sea Pearls are considered the Bentley of pearls. Not only are they unique and attractive, but they are also highly valuable.

If you are interested in selling your used pearls Akoya jewelry or have questions, visit Ralph Mueller & Associates or call 480.949.9229.