Akoya Pearl Sets
A set is not three pieces of the same grade put in one box. The pearls are drawn together and matched to each other before anything is strung or set, which is why the necklace, bracelet and earrings read as one thing when they are worn together. Choose size and grade below.
Choosing an akoya set
Four things decide what you get and what it costs.
Size
Sets run 6.0 to 9.5 mm. 7.0 to 7.5 mm is the classic gift and the size most brides wear. 8.5 mm and up is the set people buy once and keep for forty years.
Grade
AA+, AAA and hanadama. On a set the grade matters twice over, because every piece has to hold the standard and also agree with the others. Hanadama sets come with a laboratory report.
What is included
Three-piece sets are a necklace, a bracelet and earrings. Two-piece sets pair a pendant with earrings. The product page lists exactly what comes in the box before you order.
Lengths and clasp
Necklace and bracelet lengths are yours to pick, and so is the clasp. Nothing is fixed because nothing is made until you order it.
Before you buy
Are the pieces actually matched to each other?
Yes, and this is the part most people assume happens everywhere. It does not. A set sold as a set is usually three items of the same stated grade pulled from stock. Ours are drawn together from loose pearls and matched to each other for luster, overtone and surface before anything is strung or set, which is why they agree when worn together rather than merely sharing a letter grade.
Can I change the lengths or the clasp?
Yes. Necklace and bracelet lengths are chosen on the product page, and so is the clasp. Nothing is made until you order it, so if you want a length that is not listed, or a clasp from elsewhere in our range, ask us and we will tell you what is possible.
Can I buy part of a set now and add to it later?
You can, and we would rather you did that than buy something that does not fit the plan. Tell us what you already own, or let us look up your order if you bought it from us, and we will match the next piece as closely as we can. It will not be identical to matching everything in one go, since the pearls will come from a different selection, but it is a great deal closer than buying from somewhere else and hoping.
Can I see the exact pearls before the set ships?
Ask us and we will photograph them for you, laid out together so you can see how the pieces sit against each other. Request photographs or a short video on any product page, at no cost and with no obligation to buy.
Is a set a good wedding gift?
It is the most common reason people buy one. If it is for a bride, a 7.0 to 7.5 mm set in an 18 inch necklace is the safe classic and works with almost any neckline. If you are buying for a bridal party, tell us how many and we will match them to each other so the photographs look right.
Still deciding?
Our specialists will show you pearls on camera and talk you through what you are looking at. Most appointments run about twenty minutes.
