Japanese vs. Chinese Akoya
Since Japans Mikimoto revolutionized pearl culturing techniques during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, Japan has emerged as the leader in cultured Akoya pearls. Even today the Japanese maintain a dominant position in the production and processing of large Akoya pearls. Few realize, however, how far the Chinese competition has come during the last two decades. As production and labor costs have soared in Japan, and as pollution has taken its toll on Japanese Akoya production, the Chinese have emerged as strong competitors for Akoya pearl sizes ranging from 4mm to 8mm. Today approximately 80% of the world's 4-8mm Akoya pearls are harvested in China. Japan continues to dominate the Akoya pearl market for Akoya pearl sizes above 8mm.
Chinese pearl farmers have matched their Japanese competitors' quality in Akoya pearls ranging from 4 to 8 mm, but at a fraction of the price due to the huge difference in labor and production costs. In fact, in recent years many Japanese Akoya companies have located their own pearl culturing farms in China in order to take advantage of the drastically lower cost of labor and cleaner waters which are ideal for Akoya mollusk (oyster) populations.
Many consumers are surprised to learn that when purchasing Japanese Akoya pearls within the 4-8mm range, they are actually purchasing Akoya pearls that were originally harvested in China and then assembled into various jewelry pieces in Japan. By performing the various pearl treatments or final jewelry assembly in Japan, it is legal to refer to them as Products of Japan. This has been an effective marketing tool for Akoya pearl distributors as it allows them to charge a much higher price due to the perception among many consumers that Japanese Akoya are the best. While this was true during the mid 1990Ős, todays Chinese 4-8mm Akoya pearls will be equal in quality to the Japanese, and at much lower prices.
