At Pearpals, all of the pearls we use are natural freshwater pearls sourced from China. Freshwater pearls do not have a standardized grading system, so below is how we classify our pearls.
The 5 Factors of Pearl Grading In Pearlpals
There are seven main factors that are used to grade pearls: luster, surface quality, shape, color, nacre thickness, size, and matching. Let's take a closer look at each factor:
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Luster: This refers to the shine and reflectivity of the pearl's surface. The more reflective the surface, the higher the luster grade.
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Surface quality: This factor takes into account the number and severity of blemishes or imperfections on the pearl's surface. The fewer imperfections, the higher the surface quality grade.
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Shape: Pearls come in a variety of shapes, including round, oval, and baroque. Round pearls are the most valuable, while baroque pearls are the least valuable.
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Size: The larger the pearl, the higher the grade. Size is typically measured in millimeters.
- 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.
How We Grade Pearls?
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AAAA: The highest-quality pearls (For Loose-Grading Pearl)
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Excellent Lustre
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Almost Perfect Round
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97% Clean Surface
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Excellent matching
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AAA: High-quality pearls with good luster and shape
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High Lustre
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Round
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Above 90% Clean Surface
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Excellent to good matching
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AA: Good-quality pearls with decent luster and shape
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Good Lustre
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Off Round
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Above 80% Clean Surface
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Good matching
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A: Medium-quality pearls
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Good Lustre
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Not Round/Other Shape
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Above 80% Clean Surface
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Good Matching