Editor’s Note
This article highlights the renewed European interest in Japanese Akoya pearls, detailing how one company is scaling its acquisition and certification efforts to meet this demand.
Tieel Co., Ltd., which operates the acquisition specialty store “Omoio,” has strengthened its acquisition system for pearl products starting February 18, 2026, in response to growing demand for Japanese Akoya pearls in the European market.
Against the backdrop of global reappraisal through international trade fairs in Italy, appraisers with GIA qualifications provide assessments based on international standards. The company is building a system to promote and reflect the circulation of high-quality pearls lying dormant within Japan.
Japan’s pearl export value in 2025 reached a total of approximately 41.2 billion yen, with exports to Hong Kong accounting for about 35.5 billion yen, or over 80% of the total. In contrast, exports to Italy currently remain at about 4% (about 1% of the total), indicating that the European market holds extremely significant potential for growth.
Omoio has positioned pearl merchandise, including Akoya pearls, as one of its key product categories and significantly expanded its acquisition system to quickly reflect this diversification of international demand.
The pearl industry is currently at a major turning point. Due to rising seawater temperatures and environmental changes, the production of high-quality Akoya pearls continues to decline. Particularly, high-quality pearls with strong luster (teri) and thick nacre are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain even in the new product market.
On the other hand, it is believed that many high-quality Akoya pearls purchased for ceremonial occasions are lying dormant in Japanese households.
While the perception that “pearls are prone to deterioration over time and difficult to evaluate in secondary circulation” has been prevalent, it is possible to redefine their value as gemstones with proper maintenance and appraisal based on international standards.
1. Evaluation Based on “International Standards” by Appraisers with GIA Qualifications
Pearl appraisal requires extensive specialized knowledge covering luster, nacre thickness, blemishes, shape, and size. The company has appraisers with qualifications from GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the world’s most prestigious gemological education institution, who provide objective data-based appraisals reflecting international auction market trends.
2. Special Evaluation Framework for Rare Gemstones and Large Pearls
For large pearls over 8mm, whose production numbers have drastically decreased, and high-quality pearls with the brilliance of “hanadama” grade, the company highly evaluates their current rarity as added value. By possessing its own sales channels, it can offer prices reflecting actual market conditions, not constrained by general acquisition market rates.