Japanese Pearl Farm Pictures

[jshepherd]

2007 and 2008 were a trying time in the akoya business in China. We dealt with two separate typhoons and unexpected cold-water temps last Winter.

Some of you already know that we partnered with a new producer in the fall to make up the difference. This producer is located in Japan and I recently realized I've never posted pictures of a Japanese akoya pearl farm in action.

For the few of you who have seen the Natural White (untreated) hanadama pieces we've had for the last few months (sorry, never on the Web site - too few), this is the operation that produced them.

 

[pattye]

Terrific photos! How are the untreated Hanadama different? Any photos???? I'm guessing they are not so pink???

 

[jshepherd]

No, not pink. More of an ivory white. They are hard to photograph because of the subtle differences. We only had a dozen or so this season. They all went to in-house visitors.

 

[jerin]

Thanks for the photos. I did not realize though that you are partners with a japanese producer. You do have the chinese farm also with your chinese partner, I take it. BTW, Happy new year to all our vendors and members.

 

[olmander]

Very interesting!
Jeremy, what part of Japan is it? I just realised that I never knew where the pearl farms are located in Japan.

Olga

 

[Monty Hall]

For the few of you who have seen the Natural White (untreated) hanadama pieces we've had for the last few months (sorry, never on the Web site - too few), this is the operation that produced them.

Jeremy,

Will untreated hanadamas be a regular Pearl Paradise option (in small quantities)? If so, this is HUGE and great news!!!

 

[jshepherd]

The farm is in Ehime Prefecture. I don't know if the natural whites will ever be a regular item or not. They are too limited at this point.

They have a Web site so you can check them out. No English yet - sorry.

http://akoya.bz/intro.html

 

[dkan 168]

Personally, with gem quality CFWP so much better value for money than Akoyas, I doubt if I would spend that kind of money on a Hanadama strand, and would rather spend it on round Tahitians or South Sea baroques.

I guess there is always a demand for Hanadamas, the same as diamonds - those with hugh pockets will buy nothing except D Flawless!

DK

 

[jshepherd]

I asked Natalie to try to capture to color as close as possible on the natural white. It is difficult to do. The main difference between it and the regular ones is a barely perceptible rose and a much deeper ivory at the base.

 

[dkan 168]

Gosh, that's very glassy looking, no wonder others have compared the shine to good quality fakes!

DK

 

[Amrita]

Thanks for the pictures of the Japanese pearl farm, Jeremy! It is good to see where Japanese Akoyas are "made".

 

[pattye]

In spite of my strong preference for baroque and colored pearls, those are truly remarkable and I would LOVE to see them in person someday!

 

[laurenb]

Gosh, that's very glassy looking, no wonder others have compared the shine to good quality fakes!

DK

Dkan, I adore you, but now I have to stick up for the honor of a pearl I love...

Photography has a bit of a flattening effect-- in person, I find akoyas like that to be something akin to falling into a rainbow mirror. Not to quarrel over preference in any way, but there are many ways to reckon the value of a thing obtained only for pleasure. To my eye, the lustre and symmetry of a strand of 7-8mm Hanadamas blow away the Tahitians and SSP (bigger, admittedly) one can get for the same price and just can't be compared to CFWP because the look is so different.

I may be odd in this regard, but I find attempts to make a faux object look more real are distracting. A family member's $400 medium sized round Majorcas have an attempt at shiny iridescence that makes them seem, to my eye, more conspicuously faux. Not unattractive, though. They do a remarkable job of being pearlish, but I'm more likely to think a more demure fake is a real pearl at normal viewing distance.

 

[dkan 168]

I have yet to see a Hanadama strand in person. All the time I lived in London and walked pass the Miki store in Old Bond Street, I never went in there once

Perhaps I need to when I am up there next, whenever that may be. I shall wear one of my gem-quality strands so that I can compare it against a Hanadama strand

DK

 

[pattye]

All the time I lived in London and walked pass the Miki store in Old Bond Street, I never went in there once

Yes, Dk, your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to go in there, dressed to the nines in your diamond earring jackets and stunning pearl necklace and check them out and report back!! Oh, Please!!

 

[laurenb]

I have yet to see a Hanadama strand in person. All the time I lived in London and walked pass the Miki store in Old Bond Street, I never went in there once

Perhaps I need to when I am up there next, whenever that may be. I shall wear one of my gem-quality strands so that I can compare it against a Hanadama strand

DK

That's a brilliant idea and I wouldn't be surprised if you wind up having a great conversation. I think few people, particularly those in high end retail, are familiar with gem quality CFWPs and I expect they'll be very impressed.

 

[dkan 168]

Yes, Dk, your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to go in there, dressed to the nines in your diamond earring jackets and stunning pearl necklace and check them out and report back!! Oh, Please!!

I have not been back to London since I relocated to Wiltshire over 2y ago, and am less likely to go now that my partner has gone, as he too liked London when he was alive

I am sure I shall return one day, and take a stroll down my favourite streets window shopping on jewellery, and I promise I shall pop into the Miki store

DK

 

[CLICLASP]

If usefull, I am used to enter anywhere (Cartier VC& A...) asking for seeing stuff, lucky enough for having a 3 MEuros ring at finger (natural 4 carats blue and pink diamond ring...).

About Miki pearls, one big shop is place Vendome in Paris :
Tahiti pearls are very big, but as being big, not so shiny, not the most beautiful I ever seen.
About SS white pearls, very big too, baroques and beautiful, truly
About Akoya, sorry I don't like them at all, small, round, perfect, no soul in my opinion.
About Hanadama , I have seen beautiful pinkish pearls with a golden halo but I have seen these ones somewher else too.
All this does not match the M. legend ... ah!! marketing !!!

 

[dkan 168]

If usefull, I am used to enter anywhere (Cartier VC& A...) asking for seeing stuff, lucky enough for having a 3 MEuros ring at finger (natural 4 carats blue and pink diamond ring...).

It's true about some snooty stores would eye up anyone walking through the store within seconds

I find walking around the jewellery hall in Selfridges in London very relaxing, as the staff there are never snooty IMHO

That ring sounds wonderful, pic please!



DK

 

[CLICLASP]

I mean I tryied it for few minutes....and it was a great experience...
What's interesting in pearls, it 's having a true beauty of a significant volume for little money compared to diamonds.
In another thread, it was focused that the financial crisis is a chance for pearls versus diamonds

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/pearling-industry-news/3301-gia-cuts-jobs.html