Quality of cultured pearls can be measured with 5 criterias

Surface defects. Like all the natural products, cultured pearls are all different and often have imperfections on their surface. More the defects are numerous and big minus the pearl has a value, however small and discrete imperfections are the sign of a natural product

Luster. The gloss is a very significant parameter in the value of the pearl. The gloss is the surface brillance and depth of glow, it corresponds to the light intensity reflected by the pearl. The quality of the gloss depends on the thickness, the uniformity and the smoothness of the layers of mother-of-pearl on the surface of the pearl.

Size. It corresponds to the measurement of the diameter of the pearl in millimeters. Cultured pearls have in general a diameter going of 1mm to 20mm. If its other characteristics are identical, more a pearl is large more it has a big value.

Shape. It is difficult to control the shape of cultured pearls. Perfectly round pearls are very rare and thus have much more value. But other less expensive shapes are also appreciated: ovals, drope, pears, button and baroques.

Color. Pearls come in a variety of colors from white to champagne, aqua, green, golden, and black. All these colors have numerous and subtile overtones.

A quality

Pearl of higher quality, not comprising defects of surface, or at most some deteriorations located on less than 10% of its surface. They all present a very good luster.

B quality

Pearl with a good or medium luster with some defects of surface located on less than one third of surface.

C quality

Pearl with several visible defects, located on more than one third and less than two third of surface, and with a medium or good luster.

D quality

Pearl with a lot of visible defectson more than two third of its surface, whatever luster is.

    Histoire Perle

Shop : 37, Rue Gay Lussac 75005 Paris France
RER B Luxembourg. Bus Line 21 et 27 stop at Saint-Jacques/Gay Lussac
Open :12H00-19H00 from monday to Friday
14H00-19H00 on saturday.
Email: histoireperle@free.fr
Tel : 00 33 (0)1 44 07 37 49 / 00 33 (0) 6 68 80 15 65