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FRESHWATER PEARLS ~
Grading
Cultured Pearl Grading Systems
As with any other item that can appear in a wide
variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and conditions, a
standardized system of grading must be used when
purchasing pearls. Only in this way can the pearl
be described according to mutually agreed upon and
understood terms, so that both buyer and seller can
determine a fair price.
Unfortunately, the pearl industry as a whole has
not adopted a universally used standard grading
system. Instead, the specific grading system used
often depends upon the specific jeweler. The AAA-A
system is the most commonly used grading system
internationally (and the A-D system, also called
the Tahitian system is found also).
Even these systems, however, can become
misleading if a seller uses terms from the grading
system (such as "AAA"), but uses them to describe a
different quality pearl than that which the system
is generally understood to be describing. It's
extremely important when purchasing pearls to be
absolutely certain of the meaning of any
descriptive terms used by the seller. If possible,
ask to see a written description of each grading
term, so that you know exactly what the grade
implies. Reputable jewelers will be happy to comply
with such a request.
Freshwater
Pearl Grading
Pearls are unique gemstones in that they are
organic gems, produced by mollusks in rivers, lakes
and oceans. The uniqueness of this gem makes
quantifying their quality more difficult than
standard mined gems such as diamonds. While
diamonds have the commonly accepted 4 C's of
grading, pearl quality and value are determined by
6 factors.
These factors are: luster, surface (nacre
quality), shape, color, size, and matching.
As freshwater pearls come in an incredible array
of colors, whimsical shapes, and vastly varied
values, it is important for buyers to have the
ability to distinguish what is more valuable and
what is less.
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Freshwater
Pearl Grade
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Pearl Images
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AAA
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Perfect Round to
the Eye; Excellent Luster; Clean Nacre of
95% Inclusion Free Surface or Better;
Excellent Matching; Top 1% of a Pearl
Farm's Harvest.
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AA+
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Visibly
Round; Excellent Luster; Clean Nacre of
90-95% Inclusion Free Surface; Excellent
Matching; Top 5% of a Pearl Farm's
Harvest.
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AA
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Near
to off Round; Good Luster, Good Nacre of
80-90% Inclusion Free Surface; Good
Matching; Top 15% of a Pearl Farm's
Harvest.
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A/A+
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Off
round to Baroque ; Moderate Luster; Medium
Nacre of 70% Inclusion Free Surface;
Good/Moderate Matching.
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A
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Very
off Round to Baroque ; Moderate/Low
Luster; Moderate to Heavily Blemished
Nacre; Moderate Matching.
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Commercial/Beading Quality
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Asymmetrical
Baroque; Moderate/Low Luster; Heavily
Blemished Nacre; Heavy Inclusions;
Moderate/Poor Matching.
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