Akoya
The Akoya ( Japanese 阿古 屋 貝 , Akoya-gai , scientifically: Pinctada fucata martensii ) is one of the best-known types of pearls . It is characterized by its round, even and shiny shape. By nature, Akoyas are white or cream in color. Due to human treatment, however, they are available in a wide variety of colors. Akoyas have been bred commercially for over 100 years.
origin
Despite the Japanese name, the origin of this type of pearl or oyster lies in India , where, from 1850 onwards, a few Europeans tried to grow pearls or oysters . However, a state monopoly and strict legal requirements prevented their rise. At the end of the 19th century several oyster colonies came to Kyushu (Japan) by sea . Due to the similar climatic conditions prevailing there, the first breeders were able to quickly make high profits from a few oysters. In the early 1920s, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in producing cultured pearls and bringing them to market for the first time with Akoya cultivation .
particularities
The Akoya oysters have a sophisticated reproductive system. Like similar mollusks , they change their sexual organs as necessary.
Trivia
- Electronics manufacturer Medion calls some of its notebook and PC series Akoya .
- Akoya silver is a color used by VW and Audi .
literature
- Elisabeth Strack: Pearls . Rühle-Diebener-Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 978-3-00-008636-6 .