// A Very Beautiful Pearl Necklace : CHOKER The 120 Cultured ( Akoya) Pearls Have a Magnificent Lustre. The diameter of the pearls is 6 mm. The clasp is made of 18 karat gold. WHAT IS A CHOKER ? A pearl necklace with pearls that are all the same size. As a diamond and pearl dealer in Antwerp, during the years 1955–1990, I always bought my cultured Akoya pearls in Japan at the Mikimoto pearl Company, and had the pearls knotted in Antwerp, by a very skilled lady. I kept 6 necklaces for myself as an investment, this is 1 of them. Where do Akoya pearls come from? If you are looking for a timeless and classic pearl necklace with a high quality and with a huge lustre (shine from the inside) the Akoya salt water pearl is not to be missed. The Akoya (The Japanese meaning is "My Child") is cultivated in the oyster "Pinctada fucata", a small, light grey / ivory white shell, and originates from Japan. The Akoya was previously referred to as "cultured pearl" by default. The pearls are currently also grown in Indonesia and China in the same quality as in the native country Japan (and sometimes even better).