Learn How to Identify Quality

Step #2 Learn how to identify quality

Pearls come in a variety of (1) lusters, (2) bodycolors, (2) shapes, (3) sizes and (4) overtones. There are also variations in regard to (5) surface cleanliness. These 5 factors combine together to give you the make of the strand you are looking for. You can use this chart to help you describe the type of pearls you are looking for and to understand the factors that affect pearl prices. This chart follows the G.I.A. Pearl Grading System. This pearl grading system is important because it is the most accurate in the industry. Many retail stores such as Mikimoto have an "in house"grading system that is AAA as the highest grade, AA as the second highest grade and A+ as the next grade. The lowest grade is A. Mikimoto claims that their AAA pearl represents the top 3% in quality of all pearls harvested from Japan. If you've been to their flagship store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, you may recognize a AAA quality strand as very high luster, pink bodycolor, all round, rosé overtones and clean surface. So, if you're looking to purchase Mikimoto quality pearls and you don't want to pay retail prices, you've just learned how to describe them. Tiffany & Co. is known for a certain make of pearl as well.

Attribute
Definition

#1 Luster Luster is the quantity and quality of light reflected from the surface of a pearl. Higher luster pearls are most valuable.

#2 Bodycolor Bodycolor is the basic color of a pearl. The most common bodycolors are white and cream. White and pink command the highest value.

#3 Shape Shape is important in judging pearls. The rounder a pearl is, the higher its value. Baroque pearls have irregular, distorted shapes.

#4 Overtone(s) Overtones are the colors that overlie the bodycolor. Pearls with rosé or silver overtones have the highest value.

#5 Surface Surface refers to how clean the skin of a pearl is. The fewer blemishes on the surface of a pearl, the cleaner it is. Most pearls have some blemishes.

clean surface to spotted surface

Please press the button below to view a Japanese Akoya culutred pearl size chart:

Step #3 Choose the appropriate pearl size

Attribute	Definition
#1 Luster	*Luster* is the quantity and quality of light reflected from the surface of a pearl. Higher luster pearls are most valuable.

#2 Bodycolor	*Bodycolor* is the basic color of a pearl. The most common bodycolors are white and cream. White and pink command the highest value.

#3 Shape	*Shape* is important in judging pearls. The rounder a pearl is, the higher its value. Baroque pearls have irregular, distorted shapes.

#4 Overtone(s)	*Overtones* are the colors that overlie the bodycolor. Pearls with rosé or silver overtones have the highest value.

#5 Surface	*Surface* refers to how clean the skin of a pearl is. The fewer blemishes on the surface of a pearl, the cleaner it is. Most pearls have some blemishes.

clean surface to spotted surface