What is the difference between Akoya and Freshwater Pearls?

Akoya is a saltwater pearl, and they possess a unique superficial shine and quality, more so than freshwater pearls. Another distinction among the two is that the freshwater pearls have a thicker nacre than Akoya pearls. Akoya is a term that is mostly related to the pearls developed in Japan and China. The freshwater pearls are produced in lakes and ponds. Freshwater pearls are known to be mantle tissue nucleated.

This nucleation means that a small piece of mantle tissue is directly inserted into the mantle fleshy tissue, and a mother of pearl bead is placed into the gonad of Akoya oyster Freshwater pearls are not as expensive. Unlike Akoya pearls, freshwater pearls come in a wide array of colors. The Akoya pearls come in white color with nuances of silver, rose, and ivory. These pearls additionally come in blue and yellow colors. The freshwater pearls come in all pastel colors, and the most cherished colors include white, peach, and lilac.

One of the major differences between Akoya and freshwater pearls is that Akoya pearls are saltwater pearls, whereas freshwaters are a type grown in the freshwater mussels. When you check their luster, Akoya pearls have beautiful luster compared to freshwater pearls. Another differentiating feature of the two is that the nacre layer of freshwater pearls is very thick compared to that of Akoya pearls.

Unlike Akoya pearls that are mostly cultivated in China or Japan, the cultivation of freshwater pearls is usually in ponds or lakes. Also, unlike Akoya pearls that have a white color with a blend of ivory, rose, and silver, freshwater pearls come in different colors lilac, white and peach. Akoya pearls are perfectly round in shape, whereas the roundness of freshwater pearls is not as perfect as that of Akoya pearls. In terms of price, freshwater pearls are not as expensive as Akoya pearls, and this is because of the certain features of Akoya pearls. However, Akoya pearls are not as durable as freshwater pearls.