Freshwater Pearl Grading | Save up to 80% with Pearls Only UK

Freshwater Grading Guide

PearlsOnly uses the AAAA Pearl Quality
Grading System to grade its Freshwater
Pearls.

All Freshwater Pearls are graded and
assigned a grade on these following value factors:

Luster
Surface
Shape(Roundness)

All of the Freshwater Pearls at PearlsOnly
are graded on the 3 value factors.

Freshwater Pearl Quality Grades Sample - Pearls Only

Overall Grade

Using the AAAA Pearl Quality Grading
System the Overall Grade offers HIGHEST
value to our customers since some value
factors can be higher than the overall
grade.

Just like in the example on the
right, the pearl necklace has AAAA
Luster and AAAA Shape however it
is still assigned just a grade of AA
because the Surface is AA.

Luster Grade

Luster or shine is the indication of how well the pearl reflects the light. A good way to think of luster is like a mirror. It is a very important value factor for the overall grade of the pearls.

Freshwater Pearl Luster Grading - Pearls Only

Nice light reflection, reflected image slightly fuzzy

Very good luster, reflected image clear

Nice, sharp and very clear reflection

Outstanding luster amazing reflection and clarity

Body (Surface) Grade

Surface describes any divots, small natural scratches and other pearl imperfections on the body of the pearl

Freshwater Pearl Body Grading - Pearls Only

81% of the pearl surface is clean however imperections are visible on the surface

86% of the pearl surface is clean. When looking at the pearl closely it is possible to see small and occasional imperfections

95% of the pearl surface is clean.Imperections that are present are not easy to find-pearl must be carefully studied to see imperfections

99% of the pearl surface is clean.Extremely detailed and up-close study of the pearl is needed to find imperfections

Shape Grade

Pearls grow in various shapes, from baroque to perfectly round, and anywhere in between. The roundness of the pearl can be very small, however those pearls reaching the perfect roundness, also command the most expensive price.

Freshwater Pearl Shape Grading - Pearls Only

Non-symmetrical, off-round-slightly irregular

Round to casual observer, slight off-round symmetry

The pearls are of spherical shape

The pearls are of a near perfect spherical shape

Irregular shape with atypical growth

Teardrop shape perfect for pendants and earring

Oval (button) shape perfect for comfortable earring