what is the difference between south sea and akoya pearls?
For the uninitiated, nacre is what gives a pearl its metallic sheen. The average nacre of an Akoya pearl is between 0.35mm to 0.7mm, whereas the nacre of a South Sea pearl measures 2mm to 6mm. This unusual thickness is what gives the South Sea pearl a unique sheen that is often perceived to be soft and captivating.