Black Akoyas...

Shani

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2024
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Ok I think I am in the right forum for this question. I have seen a good share of black dyed Akoyas for sale. Yes, a bit lower in cost, but what I am dying to know do they have any sort of luminescence to them? Do they look nicer IRL than dyed freshies? I wouldn't mind buying a set, but I don't want to bother if they are nothing special compared to dyed freshies. Or were they just so crappy that they decided to dye them? If so, the ratings of A+ - AAA etc just confuses me if you can't see any discernable difference. Can anyone enlighten me?

Thank you.
 
Dyed black akoyas will have the shininess of white akoyas but I would not expect to see iridescence, if that's what you mean by luminescence.
The black akoyas I've seen are darker than typical dyed freshwaters.
Akoyas having a bead inside, they will also be rounder. And they may be smaller as akoya oysters are smaller than FW mussels, and price increases significantly with size.

I think it's a given that the higher grades of akoyas will not be dyed. That would be a waste of the best pearls. That doesn't mean dyed akoyas are "crappy" though.
 
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