Baby Akoya : Vintage Princess Length Strand of Baby Akoya Cultured Pearls

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I just love baby pearls. Akoya pearls of this diminutive size were not especially popular, so they are a challenge to source, but I find them so versatile that I snap them up every chance I get. They are charming and delicate in appearance, their luminosity is perfect. A sweetly understated signature piece that can hold its own, or team well with others.

Akoya is the name given to the fine cultured pearls grown by the Akoya oyster Pinctada fucata martensii. These were the first oysters that the culturing process was developed with, and they are widely regarded as the classic pearl. They are known for their perfect roundness, mirror-like luster and neutral colours.

This particular strand of cultured Akoya pearls date to the 1950s, they are evenly matched in hue and size – a fairly uniform 3.4mm in diameter. Each pearl is individually hand knotted on silk and the strand fastens with a gilded silver clasp.

Manufacture: 
107 3.4mm cultured round Akoya white pearls with silvery overtones have been individually hand knotted on to silk. The strand is princess length at 45cm in length (17.5″) and sits just below the collarbones. The strand fastens with a vintage gilded tongue and groove, round, fancy clasp, set with a 4.07mm Akoya pearl.

To the naked eye the pearls are uniform in colour and shape with a high luster. Under magnification tiny nacre imperfections can be seen that indicate each is a naturally formed cultured pearl.

The clasp has sweet heart shapes cut out on the reverse. It is hallmarked Silver.

The necklace is 45cm (17.5″) long.
Weighs 7.14 grams

Condition: 
Very good. The pearls show no nacre loss or discolouration. The gilded clasp has lost its gilding to the reverse and some of the higher points on the face.