I compared three natural white Akoya pearl necklaces. The top two are from Tsushima, while the bottom strand comes from Yusu in Ehime Prefecture.

To my eyes, the Tsushima pearls have a slightly creamy tone and appear to have dense, thick nacre. The Yusu pearls look much whiter and clearer. They appear slightly cloudy in the video, but in person they are remarkably white.

This does not mean that Tsushima pearls are always creamy or that Ehime pearls are always white. Color and nacre vary even within the same growing area.

In the Japanese pearl industry, even no-toned pearls generally undergo pre-treatment. I think of this process as washing your face: it removes impurities and helps reveal the pearl’s natural brightness rather than changing its original color.

The appearance of a pearl is shaped not only by processing, but also by the sea, the oyster, the farming environment, and the skill of the people who cultivate it.

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If you would like to learn more about how I evaluate Akoya pearls and how pearl processing affects their appearance, you may also enjoy these articles.

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