These are small Akoya pearl stud earrings.

I came across these pearls by chance. I purchase most of the pearls I work with from the company I work for. Since the company owns pearl farms, I am able to source pearls directly from the farms. However, I usually purchase findings such as clasps, hooks, and other metal parts from a nearby findings shop.

The city where my company is located is known for its pearl industry, so there are many pearl companies and findings shops in the area.

One day, while I was waiting at my usual findings shop, I noticed some small Akoya pearls in a showcase. At the time, pearl prices in Japan were high and pearl supplies were limited, so naturally I became curious.

When I asked about them, the owner told me that the pearls had been purchased by his father more than 40 years ago and had remained in the shop ever since.

The pearls were available in small sizes such as 3.5mm, 4mm, and 5mm, with only a limited number of each size.

Normally, pearl retailers purchase pearls in much larger lots. Even when making pearl earrings, a retailer may purchase enough pearls for dozens or even hundreds of pairs.

Because the quantity at this findings shop was so small, apparently no pearl company had been interested in buying them. As a result, they remained there for decades.

For me, however, this was perfect.

Flower Jem is a very small pearl shop, so I do not need hundreds or thousands of pearls at once. Even 50 or 100 pearls can be more than enough for the pieces I make.

The owner of the findings shop even told me,

“You are probably the only person who will buy these, so just take one or two whenever you need them. There is no hurry. They have already been here for decades.”

It was a wonderful discovery for me.

What surprised me most was the condition of the pearls.

Even though they had been stored for more than 40 years, they still had beautiful luster and looked remarkably fresh.

One possible reason is the quality and thickness of the nacre.

Akoya pearls were often cultured for longer periods in the past than many pearls are today. A well-formed, thick nacre layer can help a pearl maintain its beauty for many years.

On the other hand, pearls with thin or poorly formed nacre can sometimes deteriorate more easily. In extreme cases, the nacre may even crack during drilling.

After working with pearls for many years, I can often feel the difference when I handle them. Pearls with strong, well-formed nacre tend to have a certain weight, depth, and presence.

These small pearls certainly have that feeling.

For this pair, I combined the vintage Akoya pearls with sterling silver flower-shaped findings.

The small silver petals gently surround the pearls, creating a delicate and simple design. Because the pearls themselves are only around 3.5–4.5mm, the earrings remain light and subtle while still showing the beautiful luster of Akoya pearls.

I am especially happy that pearls which had been quietly waiting in a showcase for more than 40 years have finally become a piece of jewelry.

I have made several other pieces using pearls from the same small collection, so please feel free to take a look at my other Akoya pearl earrings as well.

About U.S. Customs Duties (from August 2025):

I make every effort to ensure that you will not be charged any customs duties when ordering from my shop. If, by any chance, such duties are applied, I will promptly reimburse you in full.

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