Our Tahitian Pearls
Five Pillars of Pearl Grading
Colour
Tahitian pearls mirror the various colours of the ocean, embodying its depth, beauty, and tranquillity in every piece.
Encompassing primary bodycolours of misty grey, charcoal grey, sun-kissed yellow, verdant green, and earthy brown and more, the Tahitian pearls' palette is as diverse as it is captivating. Given their dark base, the overlaid overtones create a striking contrast, truly standing out against their backdrop.
The spectrum of overtones unveils an enchanting range of hues from serene blue, romantic pink, and vibrant pistachio to electric magenta, each playing a symphony of colour.
When a pearl boasts multiple overtones, it conjures an 'Orient' - a mesmerising rainbow-like display that dazzles the eye. This magnificent light play results from thousands of layers of aragonite crystals nested deep within the heart of the pearl, a testament to nature's unrivalled artistry.
Lustre
A pearl's natural lustre, a defining factor of its beauty, is immediately captivating at first glance, making pearls undeniably majestic.
The natural lustre of pearl springs from the reflection of light off its innumerable layers of nacre, forging the elegant sheen characteristic of these oceanic treasures. Nacre, the organic
material born of the oyster, is the master architect behind the pearl and its lustre formation.
The radiance of a pearl's lustre can be classified along a spectrum, ranging from no luster, poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent.
A pearl's reflective nature not only enhances its charm but also signals its rarity and, subsequently, its value. The greater the reflection, the higher the appeal and worth, transforming each pearl into a precious gem.
Shape
Tahitian Pearls' shapes are classified as one of the following:
Spherical
- Round
- Near-round
Symmetrical
- Oval
- Button
- Drop
Baroque
- Semi-baroque
- Baroque
- Circled
Perfect symmetrical and round pearls are extremely rare and difficult to come by, increasing the pearl's value.
Size
Pearls' sizes are measured in millimetres (mm), a spectrum extending from as small as 2mm to an impressive breadth of over 20mm.
- Small-sized pearls range from 2mm to 8mm
- Medium-sized pearls range from 9mm to 12mm
- Large-sized pearls range from 13mm to 14mm
When it comes to Tahitian pearls, those measuring 15mm and beyond are considered rare, making them priceless treasures.
Surface
The quality of a pearl is significantly affected by the number and size of the imperfections seen on a pearl's surface. That said, a pearl with a flawless character is extremely rare and valuable.
Classification of pearl surface is
- Heavily spotted (HS) - apparent surface irregularities
- Moderately spotted (MS) - noticeable surface characteristics
- Lightly spotted (LS) - minor surface irregularities visible
- Clean (CL) - minute surface blemishes that are difficult to see
- Spotless (S) - absolutely free from blemishes to the unaided eye
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