Snow Gleam

Hello, this is Flower Jem.

This is an Akoya pearl necklace.
The pearls measure between 7.0 mm and 7.9 mm.

As with my other necklaces, it is strung in the All-knot style. But this time, for the very first time, I used purple thread. The thread is not silk but strong polyester.

The luster of these pearls is of the highest class.

For about ten years, I worked for a company that owned the largest Akoya pearl farm in Japan. Every year during the pearl harvest, I joined the auction held at the end of the year and into the New Year. Companies like Mikimoto and Tasaki also participated. My colleagues and I spent countless hours sorting through more than 700 kilograms of harvested pearls in preparation for that auction.

Through those years of experience handling pearls of every grade, I can confidently say that the luster of these pearls belongs to the very top rank.

If these were perfectly round pearls with such luster, the price would be extremely high. But since these are baroque pearls, the price is far lower. As a baroque fan, that fact leaves me with mixed feelings—but for customers, it means you can own superb pearls at a very approachable price.

The nacre is thick, and this thickness gives the luster depth. Imagine the difference between gazing into two meters of water and ten thousand meters of ocean depth. The shallow sea is clear, showing sand on the bottom. The deep sea is unknown, dark, mysterious, stirring fear, curiosity, and wonder. That is the kind of depth nacre can express.

Or think of a young person’s bright smile compared to the smile of someone who has lived ninety years through hardship and joy. The latter holds a profound depth—“I understand your pain, I’ve been there too, you’ll be all right.” The depth of nacre reminds me of that same quality.

Of course, thickness alone is not enough. Without a smooth surface and strong luster, it would mean nothing. But when pearls combine a smooth skin with strong luster, their nacre’s depth becomes truly captivating.

The necklace length is 50.5 cm (19.88 inches). The clasp is a clip style, which allows you to shorten the necklace at any point between pearls. The end ring of the clasp is made from platinum 850. To be honest, I only used it because I forgot to buy my usual parts—but the result turned out cool and elegant.

These pearls were harvested in January 2023. Among that harvest, I personally sold the very best lots to three clients—around twenty thousand pearls in total. While sorting, I noticed that there were more high-quality pearls than my client actually needed. So, I offered to buy back the top-ranked baroque pearls.

Later, I strung dozens of necklaces from the next-lower grade on behalf of the client. Surprisingly, they sold at very high prices, and the client was so delighted that they even gifted me a trip.

This necklace is made from that same second-highest grade. What separates the very top from the second? Only slight differences. Both have top-level luster, but side by side, the highest rank glows just a little brighter. The second rank also shows tiny bumps—what we call “wounds.” That is all.

Think of it like a school. Suppose the first class is filled with the brightest students. Within that class, you can still sort students into groups. These pearls are in the top class, but placed in the second group within it.

The pearls are untreated apart from “stain removal,” which eliminates less than 1% of proteins left inside pearls. Pearls are 99% calcium, but that tiny percentage of protein can cause yellowish tones or purple stains. This process is applied to almost all pearls worldwide, except natural blue ones. There is no superiority between toned and no-toned pearls. It is like comparing natural beauty and made-up beauty—just different styles.

If you would like to see more, I also uploaded a one-minute short video, a full one-hour unedited making video, and a one-minute time-lapse version.

Unedited version

One-minute fast-forward edited version

One-minute finished piece video

Nearly two years have passed since these pearls were harvested, but I am confident anyone who sees this necklace in person will be more than satisfied. I always write in my letters, “I hope you will love these pearls when you see them in person.” But for this necklace, I have almost no doubt.

The necklace is called Snow Gleam—because its brilliance is as pure and refreshing as snow.

For more information, please check the videos.
And on my website, if you subscribe to the newsletter, you will receive a 30% discount coupon. It can be used multiple times, and only your email address is required—no name or address. You can find the form at the bottom of the homepage, below the photo of my dog.

Flower Jem has also been introduced in articles on Pearl-Guide and PriceScope. If you would like to read objective perspectives, I recommend those as well. When I first saw them, I was moved to tears.

Take your time, and enjoy.

Pearl bless you,
Flower Jem