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Product Specifications
| Jewelry Information | |
| Brand Name: | Amazon.com Collection |
| Metal stamp: | 14k |
| Metal: | yellow-gold |
| Material Type: | pearl |
| Length: | 18 inches |
| Chain: | no-chain-type |
| Clasp Type: | other-clasp-type |
| Total metal weight: | 0.3 Grams |
| Pearl Information | |
| Surface markings and blemishes: | lightly-blemished |
| Shape: | Round |
| Uniformity: | Good |
| Luster: | good |
| Minimum color: | white-with-pink-overtone |
| Size per pearl: | 6.0-6.5.0mm |
| Stringing Method: | double-knotted-on-silk |
| Pearl type: | akoya-cultured |
| Packaging Information | |
| Package: | Regal Blue Sueded-Cloth Pouch |
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Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Project radiance and sophistication with this traditional Akoya cultured pearl necklace. Round white A grade Akoya cultured pearls, with a diameter of 6-6.5mm, are individually knotted to form the 18-inch necklace. This classic pearl strand is finished with a fancy filigree clasp made from bright and durable 14 karat yellow gold.
Akoya cultured pearls are produced in salt-water mollusks in Japan and China. They were the first type of pearl to be cultured, and remain the most popular and classic choice for pearl strands. Akoya cultured pearls are prized for their smoothness, roundness, and beautiful luster. Though they may look similar to freshwater cultured pearls, when the two are placed side-by-side, the Akoya pearl's superior qualities are clear.
About Akoya Cultured Pearls
Akoya pearls are produced in several varieties of saltwater mollusks in Japan and China. They were the first to be cultured in the early 1920s and are the most popular pearls used in strands and earrings. They produce the most consistently round pearls with high lustre and very slight imperfections. Their colors range from cream and white to white-rosé. Initially, they look similar to round Freshwater pearls, but compared side-by-side, the difference in lustre and color is obvious.
Cultivation
Pearls are produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. When these animals sense an irritant, such as a grain of sand, they produce a soft coating of calcium carbonate substance around it. The result is a pearl. Because perfectly round, naturally produced pearls are so rare, a process known as cultivation was developed by Kokichi Mikimoto in the early 1900s. A small bead of polished shell, the nucleus, is used as an irritant and delicately inserted into the mantle of a mollusk. It takes approximately 20-24 months of intensive husbandry to cultivate a saltwater pearl and somewhat less time to cultivate freshwater pearls. The harvest usually takes place during the months of June and September.
Color
Mollusks produce pearls in a variety of colors, accommodating most personal preferences and budgets. The general color of a pearl is also known as the body color. Pearls typically range from white, cream, and yellow to pink, silver, or black. An overtone of secondary color is sometimes seen. For instance, a pearl may appear to be white, but upon closer inspection a rosy hue is detected. The body color would then be termed white-rosé. Color variation does not affect the quality of the pearl, though it should be noted that color matching is important when choosing pearls for some necklaces, earrings, or bracelets. In fashion jewelry, pearls can sometimes be dyed to achieve the desired color, which should be mentioned in the product description or specifications.
Lustre
The appealing, deep shine of a pearl is often what defines its beauty. This shine is produced by multiple layers of semi-opaque calcium carbonate crystals, called nacre. The nacre reflects light on the surface of the pearl, producing brilliance and sheen. Lustre is an integral feature in determining the quality of a pearl. Large pearls have a thicker nacre and, therefore, a higher lustre. When comparing a small Freshwater pearl to a large South Sea pearl, the difference is clearly visible to the untrained eye and should be considered when purchasing pearls.
Shape
While pearls come in many different shapes, the rare
st and highest-quality are round. Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea oysters tend to produce the roundest pearls, while those of Freshwater mollusks can be oval to slightly off-round. When considering a pearl purchase, whether it be a necklace, bracelet, or earrings, look for consistency in the shapes of the pearls. Many of the less symmetrical shapes are used in stylish jewelry which can be quite beautiful: the drop pearl’s shape lends well to earrings, and the baroque pearl features irregular shapes that work well as necklace accents. In addition, a half sphere pearl called a “mabe” is often used in earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.Size
An oyster’s particular type and size has a direct effect on how large the pearl it produces will be, and pearls do come in a wide range of sizes. Round pearls are measured according to their diameter, while baroque pearls are measured by their length and width. A pearl’s size does not necessarily affect its quality, but it does affect its price. Large, round pearls are rare and their lustre is usually high--this beautiful combination of traits is often reflected in the cost of such pearls.
Average pearl sizes (in diameter):
Akoya: 6-8mm
Freshwater: 5-6.5mm
South Sea: 11-13mm
Tahitian: 11-12mm
Keshi: 4-10mm
Surface Markings
Often when an oyster creates a pearl, the nacre doe
s not develop smoothly. The surface of a pearl is judged by how many marks are visible in the nacre. These imperfections can be small and unnoticeable or quite large and distinct. Like diamonds, pearls are rarely flawless. However, high lustre or the way pearls are strung and set can help conceal surface markings.Care
Proper care of pearls is not difficult if you remember that they are organic and produced by a living thing. Pearls are soft and delicate, but when cared for with common sense, they will maintain their lustre for centuries. The pearls should not come in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water, or other harsh chemicals. To keep them clean, let them be the last item put on when dressing, and the first item taken off at the end of an evening. The best way to maintain their lustre is to wear the pearls often, and wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward--pearls absorb the oils from skin, which helps keep them moist. Pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or jewelry bag, separated from other jewelry to prevent nicks or chipping. Periodically, pearl strands should be restrung since the silk thread used to tie the pearls together breaks down over time.
Product Details
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: 14k Yellow Gold 6-6.5mm A-Grade Akoya Cultured Pearl Necklace, 18" (Jewelry)
Customer Service: Excellent
The 30% discount was not taken off at check out, but I called amazon and they very quickly credited my card the difference. It took about 2 minutes (from 1st ring to end of call), one of the smoothest and quickest customer service events I have had in my life. Product: Shape and Size: Great The pearls are closer to the 6.5mm than the 6mm mark which I was not expecting. And all of them are round, not one is misshapen. Luster: Great The luster of saltwater pearls is unmistakable. Are there pricier akoyas out there with more luster than these? of course. But are there freshwater pearls that have this luster? Not that I've seen. Complexion: Fair With my arm stretched out in front of me, strand in hand, there are NO blemishes visible whatsoever, all you notice is the luster. This is about the closest a person would be standing to you in public. Holding the strand right up to my face (about 3 inches from my eyes): am going through and examining each pearl one at a time. 6 pearls have a tiny bump or knick worth noting on them (4 of them are in the area of the strand that would sit on my nape). and 2 pearls have a bubble-like blemish. Now I'm sure a jeweler could find all the other little minuscule things that are wrong in the other pearls, but I dont have the time or magnifying glass to do it. The Stringing: Fair to Good They are indeed individually strung and double knotted which is a plus. Someone reviewed that it seemed like dental floss, clearly they have never seen silk before. I have, and this is silk. I do understand that reviewer's concern about "kinks". The craftsmanship on the double knotting is fair, not amazing, so some of the knots don't bend as well as they should. This is especially noticeable when you first take the strand out of the pouch. It has been curled up and and the "kinks" are obvious. I unclasped them and extended them, and kind of how you would unbend a telephone cord I moved and worked with the spots where the knots needed to bend in another direction. I did this very carefully and gently and it worked out great, the strand sits well now with no "kinks". I didn't mind working with the double knots a bit to get them to sit right, but you might. The Clasp: Meh. I HATE fishhook clasps, I find them hard to close. But with that being said, this one is no harder to work with than another fishhook clasp I've had to work with, if anything it might be easier because its so sturdy. And I will admit I haven't lost a single piece of jewelry that has a fishhook clasp. The Price and Value: Excellent I did alot of searching and this is by far the best deal on akoya pearls I could find. Only $35 after the 30% discount and with free one day shipping. I also happened to have $15 credit so my total came out to be $20! (That's less than I payed for my freshwater strand) Why would you pay the same or even more for freshwater when you can have REAL saltwater akoyas? Pros: Luster, Value!, Customer service. Cons: I had to loosen up some of the doubleknots, fishhook clasp, I only ordered one.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every Day Beauty,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: 14k Yellow Gold 6-6.5mm A-Grade Akoya Cultured Pearl Necklace, 18" (Jewelry)
This necklace was very well received as a Christmas present. I am not a gemologist, nor a pearl expert. To my untrained eye, these pearls look very nice. No they are not perfection like strands that cost many times more money than this pleasant necklace. The pearls are a nice white color, a good size, and nicely round (I'm not seeing a lot of flaws on the pearls)
I was a bit worried that this strand would be too short, but in fact it is just about right. It is just between chocker and full necklace length. The clasp is nice and sturdy. My wife loves them because she can wear them all the time and not worry about them being damaged. They look beautiful on her, and they have made both of us happy. If the recipient of your gift is a pearl expert and expects perfection, well you will have to spend a lot more money and these are not a possibility. If they would love a thoughtful gift and the ability to wear these all the time, you've found a winner with this necklace.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Plastic pearls,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: 14k Yellow Gold 6-6.5mm A-Grade Akoya Cultured Pearl Necklace, 18" (Jewelry)
This thing isn't worth the goldbox price. I was excited to see it until I saw it. I shouldn't have expected too much from something so cheap, but every single pearl is quite flawed. The only saving grace will be giving it to someone with poor eyesight. In addition, several of the pearls don't sit well on what looks like dental floss, which makes the necklace look like there are kinks in it. Then again, all of the features that make up its poor quality should go unnoticed from across a table or room.
I give 2 stars because it functions as intended and will be appreciated from anyone you give it to. ...but only if they love you and forgive your financial shortcomings. Don't expect to wow your significant other by giving this as a 6 month anniversary gift.
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