Pearl FALCO’s Annual Akoya Pearl Jewellery Competition, initially established in 2018 by Pearl FALCO CEO Maiko Makito to share the beauty and wonder of Akoya pearl jewellery made in Ise Shima Japan, has taken on a life of its own. Pearl FALCO established this annual jewellery competition to bring Ise Shima to the world through exquisite jewellery designs incorporating curated Akoya pearls. Every year students, graduates, designers, craftsmen and many more people from more than 10 countries have joined this competition.
Maiko initiated this exhibition to nurture young talent, providing a platform to showcase their skills through Akoya pearls. Maiko said “As I worked to promote the beauty of pearls, I have seen many young creative titans grow year by year together with us and met wonderful people who’ve helped her reach this point. For that, I am truly grateful.”
Introducing Ise Shima Japan to the World
Maiko commented, “Ise Shima is famous for its rich legacy of cultured pearls, but what continues to surprise me personally is that despite the increasing number of visitors to Japan, there is considerably lower awareness of the existence of Ise Shima, let alone the beauty the region has to offer for tourists and residents. Pearl FALCO established the Grand Prix Akoya Pearl Jewellery to bring Ise Shima to the world through exquisite jewellery designs incorporating curated Akoya pearls.”
Ise Shima, Japan Is the Birthplace Of Cultured Pearls. It was only until the late 19th century in Ise Shima Japan, that techniques to sustainably cultivate Akoya Pearls were more fully understood, establishing methods to create sustainably cultivated, beautiful round pearls that contributed to the growth of the pearl industry worldwide. The beautiful pearls incorporated into some of the world’s finest jewellery designs you see in galleries worldwide today are a result of sustainable technological advances from Ise Shima Japan from over 140 years ago.
Now In the early 21st Century, Akoya pearl cultivation is facing serious challenges, including declining numbers of experienced pearl farmers and climate change. In fact, successful Akoya pearl cultivation has dropped by 80% in the last two years alone. These factors make luxury pearl jewellery cultivation and design even more important, and Pearl FALCO is determined to play a role in keeping Akoya pearl cultivation alive and well for years to come.
Sustainable Pearl Cultivation is a Reality in Ise Shima Japan
Akoya Pearl Cultivation is 100% sustainable aquaculture, requiring several years to produce a single Akoya pearl. Pearl FALCO’s Annual Akoya Pearl Jewellery Grand Prix strives to raise awareness of the importance and versatility of Akoya pearls in jewellery design by focusing on themes that tie us together in love and friendship. Pearl FALCO’s mission is to share our appreciation and knowledge of pearls with current and future generations, with the many stories and people’s love and devotion behind each piece of pearl jewellery.
The Annual Akoya Pearl Jewellery Grand Prix strives to raise awareness of the importance and versatility of Akoya pearls in jewellery design by focusing on themes that tie us together in love and friendship. Our mission is to share our appreciation and knowledge of pearls with current and future generations, with the many stories and people’s love and devotion behind each piece of pearl jewellery.
Pearl FALCO strives to connect You, Pearls, lse Shima and the World. Pearl FALCO is passionate about sharing our knowledge of pearls globally, imparting the many stories of love and devotion behind each pearl jewellery creation.
Thank You, Everyone, for Your Continued Support! We Hope to See You at Next Year’s Grand Prix! For those thinking about entering next year’s Grand Prix, please click each year’s poster below to learn more about the many unique creations from talented designers. We Hope You Will Join Us !
