Akoya lovers ... your thoughts?

[Ashley]

The luster on the top strand is much sharper than on the bottom strand, there's no doubt in my mind that it's a top quality strand. The surface is also much cleaner.

The bottom strand looks to be commercial quality. Just my 2c

[pearlescence]

Oh is that waht that is - I've had that in some of my photos, I think of it as fried egg effect which doesn't sound quite so fabulous. I thought it was the sky /natural light shining on the very lustrous top of good pearls.
There you go. that's my new thing learned for today
thanks!

[jshepherd]

Oh is that waht that is - I've had that in some of my photos, I think of it as fried egg effect which doesn't sound quite so fabulous. I thought it was the sky /natural light shining on the very lustrous top of good pearls.
There you go. that's my new thing learned for today
thanks!

It's diffraction and refraction ... aka orient.

[lilliefuzzysocks]

Jeremy, Are the larger pearls for sale on your site? If so where? They are really pretty.

[jshepherd]

Jeremy, Are the larger pearls for sale on your site? If so where? They are really pretty.

Maybe I want to wait until all the usual posters that want to comment post their thoughts.

[est190]

Can you please take a second picture with the smaller pearls behind the larger ones. The reflection of the smaller pearls which can be seen in the larger stand gives an possible unfair impression that the larger strand has more luster. Reversed, the smaller strand may prove to have as much or more luster than the larger strand [see second picture at post #11] (reflection seems about the same for both strands). That said, the larger strand has a stronger rose overtone--which I personally like. As to the mystery, well I am still working on that one.

[jshepherd]

Good question.

I've just requested a picture of the smaller strand behind the big strand. It won't be quite as tight as the original because the larger strand would hide most of the smaller strand, but I'll see how it turns out.

[Pearl Dreams]

The larger strand obviously has a sharper reflection and cleaner surface. Um...are they nucleated with another pearl?

[jshepherd]

Pearl Dreams,

No, there isn't any difference in the nucleus. I agree that one of the strands is strikingly better than the other.

Est190,

Is this what you meant?

[morphius]

Hmm...maybe the larger strand is not from Japan...and perhaps this someone showing how much they've improved their technique?

[Artpearl]

As a complete novice to the processes that these pearls may have undergone, I would guess that the large pearl strand has had an additional step added to the process to shine/polish the pearl, or an additional coating.

The pink of the pearls is very intense. To me this suggests a chemical enhancement of some sort.

Are they at similar price points, adjusting for size of course?

[Isabelle35]

I also see the larger pearl strand has superior luster/sharper reflection of light and cleaner surface. I see a strong pink overtone and slight green overtone? Furthermore, I dont know if it makes a difference, but this strand is not knoted. Would this strand happen to be the famous 'natural color' hanadama's? Ok, what if we win the strand with the right guess (hehe)! Can't wait to have the mistery solved...

[Katbran]

this is exciting

[jshepherd]

As a complete novice to the processes that these pearls may have undergone, I would guess that the large pearl strand has had an additional step added to the process to shine/polish the pearl, or an additional coating.

The pink of the pearls is very intense. To me this suggests a chemical enhancement of some sort.

Are they at similar price points, adjusting for size of course?

Both strands are from Japan and both have been subjected to the same bleaching and pinking treatment - the larger strand isn't a natural white. The smaller strand originally had a slight green overtone (and still maintains a slight green). Even adjusting for size, there is tremendous difference in value and cost.

[Katbran]

Does it have anything to do with when they were purchased?