When Mikimoto revolutionized pearl culturing techniques during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, Japan emerged as the leader in cultured Akoya Saltwater pearls. Even today the Japanese maintain a dominant position in the production and processing of Akoya pearls larger than 8mm.

Few realize, however, how far the Chinese competition has come during the last two decades. As production and labor costs have soared in Japan, and as pollution has taken its toll on Japanese Akoya production, the Chinese have emerged as strong competitors for Akoya pearl sizes ranging from 4mm to 8mm.

With the high price of Japaese Akoya production and the low price of Chinese Akoya production, many Japanese pearl producers have begun to import Chinese pearls, which they process in Japan and then sell as Japanese pearls. It is almost impossible to know if a strand is comprised of 100% Japanese pearls, 100% Chinese pearls, or more likely, a mix of the two.

Many consumers are surprised to learn that when purchasing “Japanese” Akoya pearls within the 4-8mm range, they are actually purchasing Akoya pearls that were originally harvested in China and then assembled into various jewelry pieces in Japan. By performing the various pearl treatments or final jewelry assembly in Japan, it is legal to refer to them as “Products of Japan”.

Though the Japanese have done an excellent job in creating the perception that Japanese pearls are superior to Chinese pearls, A high quality Chinese pearl will be equal to a high quality Japanese pearl. The difference is merely geographical.

Most of our Akoya pearls do come directly from China. We do, however, carry strands with pearl diameters of 7.5mm and up that were imported from Japan. Though we can not guarantee that these pearls were actually cultured in Japan, we keep these in stock for those who feel they absolutely must have Japanese pearls.