Pearl Guide
Knowing pearl by types is the first step of evaluating pearls. Each type of pearls has its own characteristics and valued standards. Basically, all pearls can be listed in two categories: Freshwater Pearls and Saltwater Pearls. The three most common saltwater pearls are Akoya pearl, Southsea pearl and Black Southsea pearl/ Tahitian Pearl. Among different types of pearls, saltwater pearls are more valuable than freshwater pearls. It can also be divided into Natural pearls and Cultured pearls. Natural pearls cost more than cultured pearls. The high value of natural pearls does not mean they are better quality than cultured ones. That is just because they are rare.
Luster might be the most important factor of all. Luster is the amount of light a pearl reflects. pearls with high luster have sharp bright reflections on the surface. Different pearl types have different standards for luster. Among all types of saltwater pearl, Akoya pearl often shows high luster.
The qualities that determine a natural or cultured pearl’s value are luster, nacre quality, size, shape, color, and surface quality.
Luster and nacre quality are closely related. If the pearl has a dull, chalky appearance, you can assume that the nacre could be thin. This affects the luster as well as the durability of the pearl.
If everything else is equal, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. As the size reach the 8 - 9 mm or above, pearl prices tend to increase much higher. Different varieties of pearl come in different sizes. Southsea cultured pearls are the largest.
Pearl experts generally divide pearl shape into four main categories: Round-Spherical, Off Round, Semi-Baroque and Baroque. Perfectly spherical pearls and symmetrical drops are the most valued. The perfection of a round pearl is considered most suited to showing off a pearl’s innate beauty. However, other shapes can be quite unique and can be created into interesting jewelry pieces.
Pearls come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from white to black. The color of pearls results from a combination of body color, overtone and iridescence. The main color, or bodycolor, is often modified by overtones, which are typically pink, green, purple, or blue. The most familiar body color are white and cream. Black, gray, and silver are also common, but the color range extends to every hue. As color is personal preferences, most people choose the color they feel compliment to their natural skin tones.
A pearl with a clean surface will reflect light more evenly and is therefore more highly valued than a pearl with blemished surface. Even though a pearl is considered more valuable when the surface blemishes are minimal, we should positively consider them more than negative when evaluation pearls. Surface imperfections are part of pearl’s natural texture and proof of the pearl’s genuineness.
