PEARL QUALITY at PEARLS4LESS.COM : : : : : : : : : : : :
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Akoya is actually the Japanese word for salt water. In the
jewelry industry, Akoya pearls or Akoya cultured pearls
are also known as salt water cultured pearls. The Gemological
Institute of America (G.I.A) lists seven value factors for
pearls: size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre
quality and matching. Pearl worth depends on the combination
of these seven value factors. Below is a chart outlining
the Akoya pearl grading system we employ. Under that is
an outline for a Tahitian Pearl Grading System. There is
no grading system available anywhere for Freshwater Pearls.
Akoya Pearl Grading System
Grade
|
Luster
|
Nacre
|
Blemish
|
Shape
|
Color
|
Matching |
| A to A+ |
Medium to Good
|
Medium
|
Lightly Blemished
|
Slightly Off round
to mostly round
|
White, medium cream, medium pink body color
with pink, gray, green overtone |
Good |
AA to AA+
|
Good to High
|
Medium to Thick
|
Slightly blemished to lightly blemished
|
Slight off round mostly round
|
White, light cream, pink body color with pink,
gray, green overtone
|
Good to Very Good |
AAA to AAA+
|
Very High to Excellent
|
Thick to Very Thick
|
Unblemished to very slightly blemished
|
Round
|
White body color with light pink, gray overtone
|
Very Good to Excellent
|
|
The A-D Grading System for Tahitian
Pearls (or The Tahitian System)
This system
grades pearls on a scale that runs from A to D. A is the
highest grade. This system is used in French Polynesia (based
on the government standard) to grade Tahitian pearls. It
is sometimes referred to as "The Tahitian System."
Grade A is the highest-quality
pearl, with a very high luster and only minor imperfections
over less than 10% of its surface.
Grade B is high or medium luster with a surface having
some visible imperfections over no more than 30% of its
area.
Grade C is a medium luster with surface defects over not
more than 60% of its surface area.
Grade D pearls may have many slight defects (but no deep
ones) over 60% of its surface, or it might have deep defects
over no more than 60% of its surface, or a combo of minor
and deep defects over no more than 60% of its surface.
The luster is irrelevant in this grade of pearl. Even
very lustrous pearls will be graded D if their surface
is blemished this much. Pearls below D grade are considered
not acceptable for use as jewelry. |
