#G Blue Downpour

 

These are 9mm Akoya natural blue baroque pearls.
I selected approximately 763 pearls of this size and created 14 strands from them.
One of those strands became this necklace, “Blue Downpour.”

 

The 14 strands were broadly divided into two categories:
near-round necklaces with lighter blue tones, and strongly baroque strands with deeper blue color.
Among the darker blue group, this Blue Downpour is the highest-quality necklace.

 

 

The entire process was recorded on YouTube.
From sorting to strand-making, the work took approximately 21 hours and was documented across around 16 videos.
Within that classification process, this necklace was labeled with the symbol “G.”

 

 

If you are interested, I would be happy if you searched for it and used those videos as a reference.

 

 

Now then, the defining feature of this necklace is its intense blue-green color.

 

 

Even while photographing it, the pearls almost appear digitally enhanced.
The color feels fluorescent, as though it is floating above the surface.

 

 

Strictly speaking, the pearl quality itself is not exceptionally high.
Some pearls have smooth surfaces, but there are also quite a few wounds and some stain-like marks.
However, this metallic blue-green overtone covers everything so powerfully that I personally find it extremely attractive.

 

 

Since 14 strands were created from around 763 pearls, I am considering keeping this particular strand for myself if it does not sell for a while.

 

 

That said, I do not wear necklaces.
So perhaps I may borrow enough pearls for a bracelet and turn the remainder into bracelets for sale instead.

 

 

At 9mm, these pearls are fairly large, with a deep blue tone and strong luster that naturally draw attention.
As a rather modest person, I honestly feel slightly hesitant about wearing a bracelet made from pearls this striking.

 

 

But when I hold this necklace in my hands, it truly feels luxurious — genuinely worthy of being called a gemstone.

 

 

The colors almost look artificial.
But if they had actually been treated, the color would likely be much more uniform.
A necklace with such uneven and varied colors would not exist.

 

 

What is more, it was even confirmed that these pearls were harvested in Yusu, a region in Shikoku, Japan, famous for pearl cultivation.

 

 

I purchased them from a pearl dealer with whom I have traded directly for many years, so I am confident they are untreated.

 

 

Pearls purchased through auctions are processed, wholesaled, and passed through many hands afterward, making it impossible to identify their exact origin.
However, pearls obtained through direct transactions can still be traced.

 

 

Especially with natural blue pearls, it is very difficult to determine whether they are truly natural unless they come from a trusted pearl dealer.

 

 

Many beautiful “natural blue” pearls sold below market price are actually dyed.

 

 

In fact, there are pearl-processing companies that developed techniques to dye pearls only to a degree that would not conflict with gemological certification standards, allowing the certificates to still describe them as “natural.”
For them, there is no intention to deceive anyone.
They proudly consider it a legitimate business effort because the pearls can still legally receive “natural” on the certificate.

 

 

I do not deny dyed pearls.
However, if something is being presented as natural, I personally want it to truly be natural, regardless of paperwork.

 

 

It feels similar to saying:

“This amount of alcohol is still legally acceptable for driving.”

But in Japan we say:

“If you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink.”

Now then, this article is being written on May 19, 2026.

A few days ago, I visited the

Kobe International Jewelry Exhibition.

 

 

I did not go there with any particular purpose.
I simply chatted casually with several pearl dealers.

Because of political tensions with China, the number of Chinese buyers had decreased significantly, and some pearl dealers were struggling with sales.

I also met dealers puzzled by the recent popularity of cream-colored pearls over white-pink pearls.

However, over the past several years, the number of Chinese companies exhibiting at the Kobe International Jewelry Exhibition has increased dramatically.
Japanese companies continue withdrawing, while Chinese businesses steadily take their place.

They are skillful in business and act very quickly.

Chinese pearl dealers often tell me:

“Japanese people do nothing. Even though they could, they simply don’t act.”

Japanese people generally do not have a strong culture of starting businesses.

Meanwhile, many Chinese people quickly learn the necessary skills and immediately launch their own companies.
I genuinely admire that.

At the exhibition, there were once again many white-pink round pearls on display.
The higher the quality of round white pearls becomes, the more anonymous they begin to feel to me.
And in more affordable price ranges, many round white pearls seem to sacrifice luster and surface quality simply to maintain roundness.

 

 

A large portion of the price is consumed by that round shape itself.

Baroque pearls, on the other hand, remain significantly less expensive than round pearls even when their quality is very high.
Pearl shape and pearl quality are unrelated, yet shape strongly affects price.

I find this contradiction fascinating.

It means you can purchase truly outstanding baroque pearls at relatively accessible prices.

With the same budget, you can almost certainly buy a much higher-quality baroque pearl than a round white pearl.

I would like to continue writing, but there are still around ten more necklaces from this same collection that will be listed in the future.
I think I will continue the story there.

 

 

To be honest, I am extremely sleepy.
It is already past midnight on Tuesday, and I still need to wake up at 6 AM tomorrow morning.

If there is anything you are curious about — changing the thread color, using wire instead, or anything else — please feel free to contact me anytime.

Then, Pearl bless You.