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Established in 2003, Pearl-Guide.com is an International confederation of natural and cultured pearl dealers, pearl farmers, traders, wholesalers, hobbyists, authors, and consumers.

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Pinctada chemnitzii

Pinctada chemnitzii (Phillippi, 1849)


Distinguishing Characteristics

P. chemnitzii is often confused with Pinctada radiata and Pinctada martensii. 

Ecology and Habitat

P. chemnitzii is found on the Northern coast of Australia and in the South and East China Sea.   It is also native to the Japanese owned Ryukyu Islands. 

P. chemnitzii in Pearls


For over forty years, P. chemnitzii has been used in China for pearl culture. The Japanese use this Chinese species for pearl culture as well and refer to it by the name “akoya gai.”  Currently, a hybrid of P. chemnitzii and P. fucata martensii is what is predominately used in akoya pearl production in both Japan and China.
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Common Synonyms

P. atlantica (Lamarck 1819)
P. glabia (Gould 1850)
P. lentiginosa (Reeve 1857)
P. praetexta (Reeve 1857)
P. tegulata (Reeve 1857)
P. occa (Reeve 1857)
P. epitheca (Irelade 1939)

Popular Names

Japan: Akoya gai
China: Taiwan Pearl Oyster

Primary Source

Northern and North Western coast of Australia, South East Asia, China Sea and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan

Other geographical locations

 China, Vietnam, Korea

P. chemnitzii in pearls

Known as the Chinese akoya oyster, this species is currently used in akoya production in Japan, China and Vietnam

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