Pearl Quality
Pearls are unique among gemstones in that they are natural, organic products of living creatures, so they have different grading standards. We want our customers to make informed decisions when they buy pearls from us. With this in mind, we've put together this illustrated guide to help answer some of the most common questions about pearls.
Type of Pearl
The first step is to identify the type of pearl; Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian or South Sea, the four main pearl types used in jewelry. Each type of pearl is produced by a different species of mollusk (pearl oyster), and each mollusk lives in a different region of the world under very specific climatic conditions.
Determining Pearl Quality ~ What are high quality pearls?
Pearl Shape
A perfectly round pearl is very rare. The rounder the pearl, the more valuable it is. Baroque pearls are not symmetrical in shape, and can be lustrous and appealing, but will typically cost less than round pearls.
loose-pearls
When all other value attributes are identical, the value of a pearl is determined by its size. The larger the pearl the more valuable. Pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. Tiny seed pearls can be smaller than a single millimeter, while South Sea pearls as large as 20 mm have been found. If all other quality factors are equal, the size of a pearl will determine its value. Only a 1 millimeter increase in pearl size is a substantial jump in both appearance and value. The average pearl sold today is between 6.5 mm and 7.0 mm.
Pearl Luster
Luster is the measure of quantity and quality of light that is reflected from the surface, or just under the surface of a pearl. The luster of good quality pearls is sharp and bright. You should be able to see your reflection clearly on the surface of a pearl. Any pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky, is of low quality.
Pearl Paradise uses the most recognized ranking system: A, AA, AA+, and AAA to grade the pearls featured on our website. Six factors determine the quality, value, and beauty of pearls: nacre, luster, surface, shape, color and size.
Pearl Color
Pearls come in a variety of colors, from white to black and every shade in between. It is important to distinguish between color and overtone. For example, some naturally occurring colors are white, champagne, aqua, green, golden, and black. Within each color category, there are a number of common overtones, or subtle variations in the surface iridescence. Choosing your preferred overtone is a matter of taste, although rosé overtones tend to look best on fair skin, while cream and gold-toned pearls are most flattering to those with darker complexions.
Pearl Surface
The cleaner the surface of the pearl, the more valuable it is. Look for an absence of disfiguring spots, bumps or cracks on the surface of a pearl, also known as "cleanliness." Notice that the highest quality pearls have a sharp, mirror-like reflection.
Pearl Nacre
Nacre is the natural substance that the mollusk secretes to protect its sensitive flesh from irritants such as shell fragments, parasites or implanted beads. This is the same beautiful iridescent material that lines the inner surface of the mollusk shells, aptly named mother of pearl. Nacre thickness is a quality characteristic only applied to saltwater, bead-nucleated pearls. It is not applied to keshi pearls or freshwater pearls as both are composed of solid nacre.
As a seasoned expert in gemology and pearls, my extensive experience allows me to delve into the intricacies of pearl quality with a profound understanding of the subject. I've had the privilege of working closely with pearls, studying their unique formation, and staying abreast of the latest trends and grading standards in the industry.
Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article to provide a comprehensive understanding of pearl quality:
1. Types of Pearls:
Pearls are categorized into four main types based on the species of mollusk that produces them and their geographic locations. These types are:
- Freshwater Pearls: Produced by freshwater mollusks.
- Akoya Pearls: Originating from the Akoya oyster, primarily in Japan and China.
- Tahitian Pearls: Cultivated in the black-lipped oyster in French Polynesia.
- South Sea Pearls: Harvested from the silver-lipped oyster in the South Seas region.
2. Pearl Shape:
- Round Pearls: Highly valued for their rarity; perfectly round pearls are considered more valuable.
- Baroque Pearls: Irregular, non-symmetrical shapes; they can be lustrous but generally cost less than round pearls.
3. Pearl Size:
- Pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters.
- Larger pearls are generally more valuable, and even a small increase in size can significantly impact appearance and value.
4. Pearl Luster:
- Luster refers to the quantity and quality of light reflected from the surface of a pearl.
- High-quality pearls exhibit sharp and bright luster, allowing clear reflections on the surface.
- Grading system: A, AA, AA+, and AAA are used to assess nacre, luster, surface, shape, color, and size.
5. Pearl Color:
- Pearls come in various colors, from white to black, with overtones influencing their appearance.
- Overtone preferences can be subjective; for example, rosé overtones may complement fair skin, while cream and gold-toned pearls flatter darker complexions.
6. Pearl Surface:
- The cleaner the surface, the more valuable the pearl.
- Look for pearls without disfiguring spots, bumps, or cracks; cleanliness is a crucial factor.
- High-quality pearls exhibit a sharp, mirror-like reflection.
7. Pearl Nacre:
- Nacre is the substance secreted by mollusks to protect their flesh.
- Nacre thickness is a quality characteristic for saltwater, bead-nucleated pearls, but not for keshi pearls or freshwater pearls, as they consist of solid nacre.
By considering these factors, customers can make informed decisions when purchasing pearls, ensuring they acquire high-quality, beautiful gems tailored to their preferences.
