About Luxury Akoyas

A Precious Gem with a deep respect for Nature, Heritage, Sustainability

If you love pearls, you would be familiar with the beautiful akoya pearl. Its enduring legacy in terms of its sustainable cultivation and the deep respect for nature that protects the industry, however, is often missed. Lechelle Petite is fortunate to have direct stakes in supply chains from Ise-Shima, Mie, & Kobe, two beating hearts of pearl cultivation in Japan.

We are rebels and we love creating with the exotic colours of akoyas.

Through the years, our clients have enjoyed and love the tip-top quality of our akoya pearl offerings. This is all thanks to our amazing Japanese team's high-standards of quality control.We love every amazing colour that has been made available through the work of our farms.

Treasured are the people and hands behind the pearl cultivation, a generational legacy.

These farms are run by individual families, handing down their trade, from one generation to another. They fiercely protect their heritage and culture,as well as the environment of their hometown. This is what makes the akoya a true luxury - nature's gift nurtured by Man, protected by Man, used by Man to create beauty, with great love every step of the way. There is no mass production here, just heart & love.

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A Brief History of the Akoya Pearl

Understanding Akoya Pearls

Akoya pearl cultivation is highly reliant on nature to produce the quality gems. To ensure that the pearls grow properly after the Akoya shells are seeded, water needs to be warmer than 13°C and be abundant in plankton for nutrition. A steady current must pass through the area, yet the farm must be sheltered from strong waves. During the growth season, cultivators must regularly remove barnacles from the shell’s surfaces, monitor water temperatures, and be vigilant about red tides. After WWII, Japanese pearl cultivation technology was classified as a state secret. Things have evolved with greater sharing between states to contibute to the development of the pearl industry as a whole.

The fundamental draw of the Akoya pearl is its mirror-like lustrous finish and perfectly round shape. They were first introduced into the jewellery market in 1912 by Kokichi Mikimoto. The Akoya's bright lustre is instantly recognisable by discerning pearl lovers, easily distinguished from the satiny finish of most freshwater pearls.

Lechelle Petite carries all variations of Akoya pearls available in the market. However, as a farm-direct to consumer and BTB supplier, the shades of colours and sizes of the pearls are dependent on seasonal produce or harvest.

Unlike other jewellers/pearl ateliers, Lechelle Petite has access to some of the most exotic colours that are not readily available. From classic ivories in different shades, to blues, to greens, ivory pinks and golds.

We hope you enjoy this access to the finest Akoya pearls at an equally beautiful price.

xoxo