Hello
I have just purchase a necklace of pearls for my friend. When I buy them the person selling them to me said that they are akoya pearls from Japan. But when I am reading about the akoya pearls I am thinking that they look like freshwater pearls. The pearls are not really round and they look more like the potato pearls that I have seen the pictures of. Also, there is little 'ring' things that go around the pearls. I also buy earrings and they are more round but flat on the back so they are like a half round.
What I wants to ask is if this is possible that they are akoya pearls or do I think right that maybe I buy freshwater pearls.
Thanks for any assistance.

Hello i think that from the description that you gave about the earrings that you bought :I also buy earrings and they are more round but flat on the back so they are like a half round It makes me believe that they type of pearls that you bought werent Japanesse Akoya pearls but instead cultured Mabe Pearls. Mabe pearls are grown against the shell of the oyster so becuase of that one side of the pearl is round and the other side is flat for having been grown on the shell of the oyster. Here go look at this link:http://www.pearl-guide.com/mabe.shtml and read some more about these types of pearls and here is a picture if that helps http://pearl.hostrocket.com/mabe_pea...e_pearl_07.htm. I might be wrong so stick around and some other more qualified and members of this forum will help you.

Thank you for your replying. I have seen the mabe also and I do not think that it is like that one. I think that button is the best describing for the earrings. I look at the page where you sent me and this looks more like the pearls that I have.
http://pearl.hostrocket.com/elliptic...l_pearl_01.htm

Im glad that you were able to find the pearls is it possible for your to post a picture of your pearls in the forum so that way members of the forum can help you even more. But i am glad that you are advancing in getting your answers to your question.

I will try to take a photo but I am not sure how to put it on the computer.

Thank you for your help.

[Kevin Canning]

I just took a look at the picture which you referred to. If your pearls look similar to this then your strand is definitely a freshwater pearl necklace. It is unfortunate that the seller misrepresented the necklace. It is possible that the seller did not know the difference, but I would certainly return the necklace and request a refund. The pearl strands in the picture are quite low-quality as well. A strand such as that pictured can be purchased in the $3-4 range.

www.Pearlsofjoy.com