Baby Akoyas

[Jaye]

How rare is 1.5 mm baby akoyas?

 

[pattye]

Hi Jaye,

A 1.5mm Akoya pearl would most likely be a keshi, with its baroque shape, a by-product of the culturing process. Seems to me like calling it a "baby" is just a way enhance desirability. High quality keshi, from mussel or oyster are very desirable. Exactly how rare is difficult to say. I'm not aware of Akoya pearls that size with a bead inside. Please tell us more!

 

[morella]

I'm curious as well. What would your do with 1.5 Akoyas. Do they come drilled?

 

[Jaye]

Hi Pattye,
They are not keshi. My mother had them made for me many, many years ago- so I could wear them casually as a chokerbecause they are tiny. I’mbackin Thailand again, and going through old things that I haven’t worn for years.
Also found old strands of graduated akoyas from Grandmother, and these are from the 40s , probably earlier.
Will post photos of those later.
Thanks for responding Pattye. Hope you are well!

 

[Simply adorned]

Your necklace of tiny pearls is sweet Jaye! Love the little pearls Perfect for layering (channeling babyNurse) or the addition of a small pearl enhancer.

 

[pattye]

Jaye, those are lovely! You didn't mention that they are round or show the photo, so a trick question, lol! Hisano has gotten some tiny akoyas to work with, but not that small to my knowledge. We look forward to seeing the other pearl strands.

 

[Katbran]

Those are so cute !! I don't think I've ever seen Akoya that small !

 

[BWeaves]

That's a seriously cute necklace. It's crying out for a pendant or enhancer or some Baby Nurse layering.

 

[SunSeeker]

Jaye, what a sweet necklace! I'm seeing a pendant enhancer too and looking forward to seeing photos of your other strands! We love seeing the older strands, especially when the owner knows the history behind them.

 

[jeg]

Jaye- I also have a strand of baby Akoya that was given to me in the 70’s. Mine is not quite as small as your’s, though. I also was given the strand of Biwa pearls around the same time, but don’t really know if they are the Japanese Biwa. The pink strand and pendant are a freshwater design from Pratima Designs in Maui. I don’t know how rare the little Akoya strands are, but there were a lot of things that incorporated tiny Akoya and seed pearls in them when I was growing up. I have/had pins, earrings, rings and pendants with tiny Akoya over the years.

 

[Simply adorned]

Loving the little pearls and layering Jeg, sweet!!

 

[BWeaves]

It's funny but 3 years ago I never would have put those three necklaces together. But since I've been hanging out on Pearl Guide Forum I love the mix and match look. I can never go back to matchy matchy pearls now. I love all the mismatched pearls that everyone layers on. They look so good.

 

[Jaye]

I’m glad everyone’s getting a tickle out of these babies. I do layer them with other strands. I’m in Chiang Mai now, and this strand is the only one I bought with me because it’s so hot here. However, i think they look quite nice on its own. A luminous choker.
A japanese pearl dealer just told me that they are rare because of low productions. She showed me some gorgeous photos of 3-5mm akoyas from Vietnam that are quite wow!
Jeg, your strands are lovely!

 

[GemGeek]

Sweetly dainty!

 

[Jaye]

Jeg, my mother gave me that strand as a teenager; she wanted something bigger, but knew I wouldn’t wear them as I was such a tomboy.
These babies were perfect with jeans!

 

[Jaye]

Thank you all for your kind words. I love it that my mother is living vicariously through this forum. She did so love pearls, especially baroques.

 

[amti]

Those are some sweet pearls! 1.5mm is super tiny! I've got some small pearls that were passed down from my grandmother, but the smallest is about 4mm, so I can't imagine how cute your pearls must be! I love small pearls. I've been meaning to take these pearls apart, remove the less lustrous ones, and restring but haven't had the heart to take them apart when I think my grandmother probably strung them. So they sit in my drawer...

 

[Katbran]

Lovely Amti !!

 

[pattye]

What a treasure, Helen! Precious!!

 

[lilliefuzzysocks]

What a great collection Helen.