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There is
not an industry-wide grading system for pearls. However, as
most pearl companies, Princess Pearl uses the A, AA, AAA
system to grade its cultured pearls on overall quality. On
this scale, AAA is gem-quality, the highest quality cultured
pearl available.
Freshwater Pearl Grading Scale
|
Grade |
Descriptions |
|
AAA |
Highest Luster;
Less than 5% Inclusions on Surface; Excellent luster;
Perfectly Round to the eye; Perfectly Matched. |
|
AA+ |
Excellent
Luster; Less than 10% Inclusions on Surface; Very good
luster; Visibly Round; Excellently Matched. |
|
AA |
Good Luster; Less
than 20% Inclusions on nacre Surface; Near to off Round;
Good to Excellent Matching. |
|
A/A+ |
Moderate Luster;
Less than 30% Inclusions on Surface; Near-round to off
round; Moderate to Good Matching. |
|
A |
Moderate to Low Luster; Moderate
to Heavily Blemished Nacre; Very off Round to Baroque ;
Moderate Matching. |
Akoya
Pearl Grading Scale
|
Grade |
Descriptions |
|
AAA |
Highest luster; Perfectly round
to the eye; Clean, Smooth Surface Quality; Thick nacre;
Mirror Reflection; Perfectly Matched. |
|
AA+ |
Excellent Luster; Excellent
Reflection; Minimal to No Blemishing (less than 10%
inclusions on surface); Perfectly Round Shape; Perfectly
Matched. |
|
AA |
High Luster; Minimal
Blemishing (less than 20% inclusions on surface; Very Round
Shape; Good to Excellent Matching. |
|
A/A+ |
Moderate Luster; Round to
Near round; Less than 30% inclusions on nacre; Medium to
Thin nacre; Moderate to Good Matching. |
|
A |
Moderate/Low Luster;
Blemished Surface; Poor Reflection; Near round to Off Round;
Thin nacre; Good/Moderate Matching. |
Tahitian & South Sea Pearl Grading Scale
|
Grade |
Descriptions |
|
AAA |
Highest luster; Clean, Smooth
Surface Quality; Perfectly Round Shape; Thick nacre; Mirror
Reflection; Perfectly Matched. |
|
AA+ |
Excellent Luster; Excellent
Reflection; Minimal to No Blemishing; Visibly Round Shape;
Perfectly Matched. |
|
AA |
Very High Luster; Minimal
Blemishing; Round Shape; Very High Reflection; Good to
Excellent Matching. |
|
A/A+ |
Good Luster; Moderate
Blemishing; Near round; Good Reflection; Good Matching. |
|
A |
Moderate to Low Luster;
Blemished Surface; Poor Reflection; Off Round to Baroque;
Good/Moderate Matching. |
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