Pearl Education

Pearl Grading

AAA	· Highest luster, Highest quality of freshwater pearl · Round · Almost Perfectly clean surface of 95% or better · Top 1% - 3% of freshwater pearls harvested today
AA+	· High luster, High grade pearls · Near round, appear round · Clean surface of 90% or better · Top 7-10% of freshwater pearls harvested today (the grade found in high end jewellery stores)
AA	· Good to Average luster · Off-round · Near clean surface of 75%- 80% or greater · Top 20% of freshwater pearls harvested today
A	· Low luster · Off-round · Slight blemishes on 30-40% of the pearls surface · Top 50-70% of freshwater pearls harvested today (will never be offered by Elegant Pearl)

Nacre

Nacre is the natural substance that the Pearl Oyster secretes to protect its sensitive flesh from irritants (irritants covered with nacre is what creates a pearl). Nacre is the same shiny material that lines the inner surface of the Oyster shells, which is called mother of pearl. The more Nacre that an Oyster lays on an irritant the larger the pearl becomes. Nacre also creates the fine shine on the pearl, which is called “luster”

Pearl Sizing

Pearls are measured by their diameter in millimetres. Most pearls range in size from as small as 1mm all the way up to 20mm. Pearls sold in jewellery stores average in size from approx. 6-7 mm in diameter.

Pearl Shape

There are four different kinds of pearl shapes; round, baroque, tear drop, button.

Types of Pearls

There are four different types of pearls. Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls.

Freshwater Pearls

Found in lakes and rivers
Mostly found in China, Japan and occasionally in the United States as well.
Come in a variety of colours, including white, pink, peach, lavender, and black.
Similar to Akoya pearls, but less expensive.
Size range from 1 – 13 mm in diameter, on average.