Cultured freshwater pearls from Japan's Lake Kasumi ga Ura
Japan Kasumi pearls are cultivated in a hybrid freshwater mussel, which is a cross of the Hyriopsis cumingii / Hyriopsis schlegelii species. The sizes of the pearls range from 9-13mm, although most are between 10-12mm. Baroque pearls from this production often have a unique "rippled" surface, which has helped make them a relatively common name to pearl enthusiasts world-wide. Naturally occurring, brilliant colors and "oil-slick" luster have further proven to some that these pearls are worth the difference in price from their Chinese counterparts. Japan Kasumi pearls are found in shades of white, cream, orange, peach with various shades of pink, and even sometimes a golden-green. The most prized color is deep-purple.
Please read our various blog posts about our travels to buy Japan Kasumi pearls, and excerpts from my lecture on these rare pearls.
These freshwater pearls are not given any treatments after harvesting. They are simply rubbed with salt to clean them, rinsed and prepared for export. As this is a very small production, we often wonder how many pearls we will be able to offer each year. The lake has had a history of problems with both pollution and naturally occurring amoebic invaders, making the farmers’ jobs increasingly difficult. These factors add to the price paid per pearl. Again proving their rarity, a strand of our Japan Kasumi pearls was included in the Museum of Natural History Pearl Exhibit, which, since 2001, has toured around the world. Pacific Pearls has carried Japan Kasumi pearls since 1995. We love making strands for an increasing number of enthusiastic customers. These pearls are quite rare and often misunderstood in the market; therefore we enjoy educating our customers about their unique origins.
Please be warned that many online pearl dealers are either misinformed, or dishonest in their representations, calling Chinese fresh water pearls Kasumi pearls. You can read about one such example on our blog.
The above photos are of Fuji Voll and I buying Japan Kasumi pearls from the farmers who grown them (left 2015) and Myself and Mr. Yanase at the Japan Kasumi pearl farm (right 1996). We have travelled there at least once a year, between these photos.
If you are interested in some more historical information on Japan Kasumi pearls...You are welcome to send us an email and we will ship you a small packet of information.
We travel to buy the pearls. We make jewelry with these rare pearls.
Most of all, we take pride in them, and the way they are grown with honor.
