Freshwater Pearls Grading           

There are a number of different criteria that are taken into consideration when determining the quality of freshwater pearls. Below are those criteria in more detail but the general rule of thumb is that the value increases the higher the lustre and the fewer the blemishes.

Lustre - also known as brilliance is the shine you get on freshwater pearls. In a good quality pearl you should be able to see your reflection. The higher the "A" quality on our site the better the lustre

Shape - There are five categories of freshwater pearl:

• Round - these are the most desirable shape of pearl and therefore the most expensive.
• Off-round - tend to appear round when they are strung together.
• Drop - symmetrically elongated and tend to take the shape of tear drops. Very valuable when a perfect pear shape.
• Baroque - irregularly shaped freshwater pearls that are often used in designer jewellery and are normally the least expensive.

Colour - with freshwater pearls this is often dependant on the environmental factors during culture. With the freshwater pearls sold on our site the lavendar and pink are natural in colour. The white freshwater pearls are sometimes bleached or irradiated to even out the colour and the black freshwater pearls are also dyed.

Surface Quality - due to freshwater pearls being cultured by mussels the surface is not always smooth. The fewer blemishes and flaws on the freshwater pearl the more valuable it is.

Size - Generally the larger the freshwater pearl the higher the value, pearl sizes are normally given in millimeters (mm).