Pearls- Quality over Quantity

In addition to knowing all the different types of pearl that exist, it is crucial, when shopping for pearls, that you understand all the different factors that contribute to the value of the pearls.

There are six different factors that contribute to the value of a pearl: Luster, Nacre Thickness, Shape, Surface Texture, Size and Color.

LUSTER

Luster is one of the easiest things to look for while shopping for pearls. It is defined as the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss. Pearls are unique and beautiful because of their reflective quality. When you see a high quality pearl, it has a glow that seems to come from within. What gives the pearl its radiance is the transparency of the nacre. The more transparent the nacre, the more brilliant and reflective the pearl. Higher quality pearls will have a deep luster. Lower quality ones will have a more dull sheen.

High quality Akoya pearls have the highest luster of all the different types of pearls.

COLOR

Color is the second factor that contributes to the quality of a pearl. Although the dominant color of the pearl comes from what is reflected on its surface, the deeper reflected light draws the inner color from the pearl. This color is called the overtone.

White pearls with pink or silver overtones are generally the most valuable, making them the most expensive. .

The most desirable dark colored pearls are black with green or blue overtones

When shopping for a strand of pearls, the most important element to look out for when it comes to color is that each pearl matches perfectly or nearly perfectly. Pearls matched closely in color and size make them more valuable.

SURFACE TEXTURE

The highest quality of pearls are perfectly round with a smooth surface, very few surface imperfections, such as wrinkles or large pits, and pretty coloration.

SIZE


The unit of measurement in the world of pearls is the millimeter. Pearls range in size from 1mm to 20mm. The average pearl size ranges from about 6mm to 12 or 13mm. The bigger, rounder and more brilliant the pearl, the higher the value.

SHAPE

Pearls come in all different shapes and sizes. The most common shapes include ringed, baroque, drop, off-round and round. The rounder the Pearl, the more valuable and expensive the pearl will be.

THE GRADING SYSTEM

Pearl value are graded on a scale of AAA- A, with AAA being the highest quality and A being the lowest. All of the above factors contribute to the grade of the pearl. According to "The Worlds Largest Pearl Information Source," Pearl-Guide.com, this is some of the criteria on which the grading is based:

"AAA: The highest-quality pearl, virtually flawless. The surface will have a very high luster, and at least 95% of the surface will be free from any type of defect.

AA: The surface will have a very high luster, and at least 75% of the surface will be free from any type of defect.

A: This is the lowest jewelry-grade pearl, with a lower luster and/or more than 25% of the surface showing defects. In many cases, if the pearl is being mounted into a piece of jewelry, it can be mounted so that the defects are hidden -- thus providing a lovely jewelry piece at a lesser price. "