THE 6 FACTORS OF PEARL QUALITY
Beauty is the most important criteria when selecting a pearl. However, there are certain grading characteristics for evaluating pearls.
Lustre
Lustre is the quality that gives a pearl its glow and brilliance and is the most important quality factor.
A high-lustre pearl reflects light sharply and displays a bright, mirror-like appearance. Low-lustre pearls appear dull, chalky or milky.
Generally, the stronger the lustre, the more valuable the pearl.
Lustre Guide
- Excellent
- Mirror-like reflections, bright and highly reflective.
- Good
- Strong reflections with good brightness.
- Fair
- Moderate reflections with less brilliance.
- Poor
- Dull appearance with little or no reflection.
Colour
Colour is often the most personal aspect of pearl selection.
Every pearl colour consists of:
- Body Colour
- Overtone
- Orient
- Hue
- Tone
- Saturation
The colour of a pearl depends on the oyster species, growing environment, nacre quality and cultivation methods.
While some colours are rarer than others, there is no "best" colour. The most beautiful pearl is ultimately the one that appeals most to the wearer.
Shape
Pearls occur naturally in a wide variety of shapes.
- Round
- Near Round
- Oval
- Drop
- Button
- Baroque
Although perfectly round pearls are generally the most valuable, many designers prefer baroque and other unique shapes for their individuality and character.
Size
As a general rule:
The larger the pearl, the rarer and more valuable it becomes.
Typical Size Ranges
- Akoya: 2-10mm
- Freshwater: 2-12mm+
- South Sea: 8-18mm+
- Keshi: 0.8-12mm+
Surface
- Spots
- Pits
- Wrinkles
- Bumps
- Circles
- Colour variations
When evaluating surface quality, the impact of blemishes should always be considered alongside lustre.
Matching
There is an additional factor that is equally important when creating strands and jewellery: Matching.
Because no two pearls are identical, achieving a perfectly matched pair or strand requires significant expertise and access to large quantities of pearls.
Discover more ....
What are Pearls
Pearl Variety
Sustainability
Choosing Pearls
Caring for Pearls
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Our team carefully grades, sorts and matches each pearl to meet the specific requirements of our clients, ensuring consistency, beauty and value while upholding the reputation of pearls as one of the world's most precious gems.