Pearl Grading Guide: Understanding Pearl Quality

At Pearlpals, we pride ourselves on using only the finest natural freshwater pearls, all sourced from the pristine waters. Our pearls are renowned for their unique beauty and high quality. Freshwater pearls lack a standardized grading system, so we have developed our own classification method to ensure you get the best.

The 5 Factors of Pearl Grading at Pearlpals

There are seven main factors used to grade pearls: luster, surface quality, shape, color, nacre thickness, size, and matching. Let's take a closer look at each factor:

Luster: This refers to the shine and reflectivity of the pearl's surface. The more reflective the surface, the higher the luster grade. High-luster pearls are highly sought after for their brilliant shine.

Surface Quality: This factor assesses the number and severity of blemishes or imperfections on the pearl's surface. The fewer the imperfections, the higher the surface quality grade. Pearls with minimal blemishes are considered premium quality.

Shape: Pearls come in various shapes, including round, oval, and baroque. Round pearls are the most valuable due to their perfect symmetry, while baroque pearls, with their unique and irregular shapes, are the least valuable but still hold a distinct charm.

Size: The larger the pearl, the higher the grade. Size is typically measured in millimeters. Larger pearls are rarer and thus more valuable.

Matching: If a piece of jewelry contains multiple pearls, they should be matched in terms of all the above factors to ensure a cohesive look. Well-matched pearls create harmonious and visually appealing jewelry pieces.

How We Grade Pearls

To maintain the highest standards, we classify our pearls into the following grades:

AAAA: The Highest-Quality Pearls (For Loose-Grading Pearl)

  • Excellent Luster: Exceptional shine and reflectivity.
  • Almost Perfect Round: Nearly perfect round shape.
  • 97% Clean Surface: Minimal imperfections.
  • Excellent Matching: Perfectly matched for a cohesive appearance.

AAA: High-Quality Pearls

  • High Luster: Brilliant shine and reflectivity.
  • Round: Symmetrical shape.
  • Above 90% Clean Surface: Few imperfections.
  • Excellent to Good Matching: Well-matched pearls

AA: Good-Quality Pearls

  • Good Luster: Decent shine and reflectivity.
  • Off Round: Slightly irregular shape.
  • Above 80% Clean Surface: Some imperfections.
  • Good Matching: Adequately matched pearls.

A: Medium-Quality Pearls

  • Good Luster: Decent shine and reflectivity.
  • Not Round/Other Shape: Irregular shape.
  • Above 70% Clean Surface: Noticeable imperfections.
  • Good Matching: Adequately matched pearls.

Conclusion

At Pearlpals, our commitment to quality ensures that each piece of pearl jewelry is crafted with the utmost care and precision. Whether you're looking for freshwater pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, or any other fine pearl jewelry, you can trust that our pearls meet the highest standards. Discover the timeless elegance of real pearls in Australia with Pearlpals.

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