Pure Pearls Glossary
Akoya Pearl
The classic small round white saltwater pearl from Japan and China, usually 5mm to 9mm. The pearl in a traditional single-strand necklace.
Akoya pearls are grown in Pinctada fucata, a small oyster that produces one or two pearls per cycle around a round bead. That bead is why Akoya roundness is so consistent.
The signature is sharp, mirror-like lustre with a rose or silver overtone. Held under a light, a good Akoya reflects a defined bright spot rather than a soft glow.
Nearly all Akoya are bleached and lightly processed after harvest. This is standard industry practice, not a defect.
When you are buying
Akoya is what most people picture when they picture a pearl necklace. If that specific look is what you want, a well-matched AAA freshwater round strand delivers a very similar effect at a much lower price, with thicker nacre.
Round sea pearls
14 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹8,680.
6.2 Carats, 10.25 Ratti, Blemish free south sea pearl for finger ring
Shine Like South Sea - Multi Shaded Pink Pearl Necklace - 1 Strand
5 to 5.5 Carats - 8 to 8.5 Ratti - White South Sea Pearl for Astrology Finger ring
8.65 Carat - 13.8 Ratti genuine south sea pearl for finger ring
Very large single original south sea pearl for pendant or finger ring - 14.9mm
7.15 Carats - 11.4 Ratti Certified south sea pearl for finger ring
9.8 Carats genuine golden south sea pearl for pendant
15.85 Carats - 17.42 Ratti certified south sea pearl for pendant
Read next
Saltwater Pearl
A pearl grown in an oyster in the sea. Rounder and rarer than freshwater, and considerably more expensive.
Lustre
How sharply a pearl reflects light. The single most important quality factor, and the one you can judge without any training.
Round
A true sphere. The rarest and most expensive pearl shape, and the benchmark every other shape is priced against.
Overtone
A translucent secondary colour lying over a pearl's main body colour — most often rose, silver or green.
Not sure what you are being sold?
Paste any pearl description — another shop’s listing, a message from a jeweller, an old certificate — and we will break it down term by term.