Pearl Grading:
Want to know a little more about pearls and pearl grading before making a purchase? The ultimate education tool for pearl grading. Learn about the many variations and options available to you, in an easy to read chart.
Oysters are capable of producing a number of different pearl shapes, ranging from off-round baroque to tear-like drops. A perfectly round pearl is the rarest shape for an oyster to produce and is thus the most valuable in a pearl harvest. Pearls also come in an assortment of colors and styles depending on which region of the world they come from. Freshwater Pearls are cultivated in artificial water pools and usually originate in Asian countries such as China. The Pearl Source only offers freshwater pearls of the highest grade quality with superior luster and overtone. On the other hand, South Sea pearls are cultivated in natural ocean lagoons in countries such as Tahiti, Australia, and the Philippines.
South Sea pearls include golden pearls which derive from Indonesia or the Philippines. Indonesian golden pearls are usually lighter in color and lower in quality. Pearl dealers will often times buy them because of their lower cost and dye them to achieve a richer more vibrant golden color. Golden pearls from the Philippines have a rich dark golden overtone which is completely natural and allows for exceptional luster. Australian pearls are known for their rich satin luster and creamy white colors which derive from the tropical waters of the South Sea. Lastly, South Sea pearls include French Polynesian Tahitian pearls, which are also known as black pearls. Pearls from Tahiti offer the widest variety of colors ranging from basic green or gray pearls to exotic peacock, lime, blue, copper, bronze, or even purple overtones.
Pearl Sorting
The Pearl Source imports all pearls directly from the pearl farms of their native origin. The pearls go through a rigorous sorting process which separates them by size, shape, and grade quality. Our on-site pearl experts personally inspect and match every pearl to create some of the most unique and elegant pearl necklaces and jewelry available anywhere.
Infographic by Pearl Grading
