Buying Pearls in Uwajima | How to Choose Akoya Pearls

Uwajima City in Ehime Prefecture is one of Japan's leading pearl-producing regions.

Along the ria coastline of the Uwa Sea, with its calm inlets and bountiful waters, Akoya pearl cultivation has been carried out since long ago.

"I want to buy pearls in Uwajima, but I don't know where to choose them."

"Pearl prices vary widely, and I don't know what criteria to use when choosing."

For people like this, Tensei Pearl, which handles everything from pearl cultivation to processing and sales in Uwajima, introduces the points worth knowing when choosing Akoya pearls.

What Are Uwajima Pearls?

Uwajima pearls are Akoya pearls raised in the waters of the Uwajima area of Ehime Prefecture.

The Uwajima coast is a ria coastline forming intricate inlets, blessed with calm seas and a rich natural environment.

Pearls are not products made in a factory.

They grow one by one, over a long period of time, inside a living creature called the Akoya oyster.

For this reason, even pearls of the same size differ one from another in luster, color, shape, nacre thickness, surface quality and so on.

The fact that no two are alike is also a charm unique to pearls grown in nature.

What Should You Look for When Buying Pearls in Uwajima?

When choosing pearls, people tend to focus only on "whether there are blemishes" and "how many mm the size is."

However, these are not the only factors that determine a pearl's beauty.

The points we particularly ask you to check are luster, nacre thickness, surface quality, color, shape and matching.

Luster

Luster refers to the gloss and brilliance of a pearl's surface.

A high-quality pearl does not simply shine on its surface; you can feel a deep brilliance, as if light were being reflected back from inside the pearl.

It is one of the factors Tensei Pearl values most when selecting pearls.

Nacre Thickness

Nacre thickness is the thickness of the nacre that forms around the nucleus inside the Akoya oyster.

A pearl grows as the oyster gradually builds up layer upon layer of nacre.

At Tensei Pearl, we place importance not only on surface appearance but also on nacre thickness, so that our pearls can be used for many years.

Surface Quality

Because pearls grow inside living Akoya oysters, natural blemishes such as dimples may appear on the surface.

Of course, having few blemishes is one factor in judging quality, but a pearl's quality is not determined solely by having few blemishes.

At Tensei Pearl, rather than judging by minor natural blemishes alone, we select pearls by comprehensively checking luster, nacre thickness and other factors.

Color

Akoya pearls come in a variety of hues, including white, pink, green, cream and blue tones.

Their appearance also changes depending on the viewing angle and the light.

Since the colors that suit you vary with skin tone, preference and the occasions on which you will wear them, we recommend actually trying them on and comparing.

Shape

In general, pearls closer to a perfect round tend to be more highly valued.

On the other hand, pearls that make the most of their natural shapes each have their own appeal.

Depending on the jewelry design, a pearl with a slightly distinctive shape can look extremely beautiful.

Matching

For necklaces, it is important not just to look at individual pearls but also at the uniformity of the necklace as a whole.

Whether the color, luster, size, shape and so on appear to flow naturally from pearl to pearl is called "matching" (renso).

To make a beautiful pearl necklace, a full strand of well-matched pearls must be assembled from among many pearls.

"A Pearl Without Blemishes = The Best Pearl" Is Not Always True

A common way of thinking when choosing pearls is that "the one with as few blemishes as possible is the best."

However, Tensei Pearl does not judge quality by natural blemishes alone; we place particular emphasis on luster and nacre thickness.

Pearls are things that grow in nature.

The longer the cultivation period, the greater the chance of being affected by changes in the marine environment and the like.

Even if there are a few dimples, a pearl whose nacre is well formed and which has a deep luster possesses a unique beauty.

When looking at pearls, please also try checking them from a little distance.

Looking at the brightness when they are held near the face, and the clarity of the light reflected in the pearls, makes the differences in luster easier to see.

Why Tensei Pearl Is Committed to "Koshimono"

Depending on the cultivation period, Akoya pearls include those called "tonenmono" and those called "koshimono."

Tensei Pearl mainly produces pearls called "koshimono," which are raised in the sea for about 2 years.

Long-term cultivation also carries risks, such as strain on the Akoya oysters and the occurrence of natural blemishes.

On the other hand, forming the nacre over time can lead to good nacre thickness and a deep luster.

Not pursuing efficiency alone, but making pearls that you can wear for a long time.

This is the philosophy we value in raising pearls in the sea of Uwajima.

What Size (mm) Is Recommended for a Pearl Necklace?

When choosing an Akoya pearl necklace, the pearl size is what many customers find hardest to decide.

The 7mm range is elegant and easy to wear, and is a size that also suits a first pearl necklace.

Around 7.5–8mm offers a good balance of presence and elegance, and can be worn on a wide range of occasions, from weddings, funerals and other ceremonial occasions to school entrance and graduation ceremonies.

At 8mm and above, the necklace becomes more glamorous and can be enjoyed for many years as a pearl necklace with presence, even as you grow older.

It is not a case of "the bigger, the better."

The ideal size varies depending on your height and build, the look around your neckline, the intended use, your budget and so on.

If you are unsure, we recommend actually trying them against your neckline and comparing.

Advantages of Buying Pearls in Uwajima

Uwajima has pearl farmers who actually raise pearls, as well as shops that specialize in pearls.

One of the attractions of buying in a pearl-producing region is that you can learn not only about the finished product but also the background of "how the pearl was raised."

Pearls in particular are gemstones whose subtle differences in luster and color are difficult to convey fully through photos alone.

If you have the chance to visit Uwajima, please compare a variety of pearls in person and find a favorite piece with your own eyes.

Things to Check When Choosing a Pearl Shop

When looking for a pearl shop in Uwajima, rather than simply comparing on price alone, you can feel more at ease if you also check points such as "whether they will properly explain the pearls," "whether their quality standards are clear" and "whether there is after-sales service after purchase."

After long use, a necklace may require maintenance of its thread or wire.

Whether the shop is one you can consult even after purchase is an important point for using pearls over a long time.

Tensei Pearl: From Cultivation to Processing and Sales, All In-House

Tensei Pearl cultivates Akoya pearls in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture.

We do not only cultivate pearls; we handle everything consistently, from sorting and processing to product making and sales.

Precisely because we are producers who raise pearls in the sea, we value making products that bring out each pearl's charm while looking at the individuality of every single pearl.

Rather than increasing production indiscriminately, we raise Akoya oysters based on a principle of small quantities and high quality, and deliver as products the pearls that meet our own in-house standards.

See Pearls in Person at Our Showroom in Uwajima

Tensei Pearl has a showroom in Tsushima-cho, Uwajima City.

You can see a wide variety of Akoya pearl products, including pearl necklaces, earrings, clip-on earrings and pendants.

Each pearl differs in color and luster.

"What colors suit me?"

"How different is the impression between 7.5mm and 8mm?"

"I want something I can use both for ceremonial occasions and every day."

Please feel free to consult us about questions like these.

You can compare while actually trying them on.

If You Can't Come to Uwajima, Shop Online

Those living far away can use the Tensei Pearl official online shop.

We feature pearl necklaces, earrings, clip-on earrings, pendants and more, centered on Akoya pearls cultivated in Uwajima and sorted and processed in-house.

Online, you can check the size and features of each product.

If you have any questions about a product, please feel free to contact us, even before ordering.

To Keep Using Your Pearls for Years After Purchase

Pearls are gemstones that can be enjoyed for a long time with proper care.

After use, gently wipe off sweat and skin oils with a soft cloth, and store them away from high heat and humidity and from extreme dryness.

We also recommend regularly checking the condition of the thread or wire of necklaces.

Tensei Pearl includes a certificate of guarantee with its products and also accepts consultations about maintenance after purchase.

Find the Pearls That Suit You in Uwajima

No two pearls are exactly alike.

It is important to choose not only by size and lack of blemishes, but by looking at luster, nacre thickness, color, shape and the impression when you actually wear them.

Uwajima, one of Japan's leading Akoya pearl-producing regions.

If you are going to the trouble of choosing pearls in Uwajima, please also take a look at how the pearls are raised.

As producers who raise pearls in the sea of Uwajima, Tensei Pearl delivers products while giving careful attention to each and every pearl.

When looking for a pearl necklace or Akoya pearls in Uwajima, please visit our showroom or the Tensei Pearl official online shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Uwajima a pearl-producing region?

Yes. Uwajima City in Ehime Prefecture is one of Japan's leading pearl-producing regions. It is blessed with a natural environment suited to Akoya pearl cultivation, including the ria coastline and calm inlets of the Uwa Sea.

What criteria should I use when buying pearls in Uwajima?

We recommend comparing not only price and size but also luster, nacre thickness, surface quality, color, shape and so on as a whole. For necklaces, "matching" — the uniformity of color and luster across the whole strand — is also important.

Are pearls without blemishes better?

Having few blemishes is one factor in judging quality, but it alone does not determine whether a pearl is good or bad. It is important to also check the luster, which is the pearl's brilliance, and the nacre thickness.

What size (mm) is recommended for a pearl necklace?

It depends on the intended use and your preference. The 7mm range is elegant and easy to wear, and around 7.5–8mm is a size that is easy to wear on a wide range of occasions. 8mm and above gives a more glamorous impression.

Can I buy directly from Tensei Pearl in Uwajima?

Yes. You can see the products in person at the Tensei Pearl showroom in Tsushima-cho, Uwajima City. For customers who live far away, we also sell through our official online shop.

What kind of pearl shop is Tensei Pearl?

Tensei Pearl is a pearl cultivation company in Uwajima that handles everything consistently, from Akoya pearl cultivation to processing, product making and sales. Focusing mainly on "koshimono" pearls cultivated for about 2 years, we make pearls with an emphasis on luster and nacre thickness.