Grading Notes

There is not a singular grading system that has been formalized for pearls. However, the most common grading used internationally is the A-AAA grading system; that has been derived from the "GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors™" (as seen to the right) and industry best practices.

Even when the A-AAA system is used for grading pearls, how each grade is assigned and interpreted by jewellers will vary. This is why it is important to have a clear, quantified description of each grade being used.

The A-D grading system, or Farm Grades, is most commonly used with South Sea pearls, not Akoya or Freshwater pearls.

Below you will see two tables that show a side by side comparison; the table on the left describes how the industry applies the
A-AAA grading system, and the table to the right describes how Select Pearls applies the A-AAA grading system.

Note:
Often times, a modifier is used by a jeweller on the A-AAA scale. Because the quality ranges on the scale are so broad, a modifier can help to clarify the quality of the product being sold. This is common practice and best practices because it requires a more detailed description of the item being sold.

Classification

Freshwater Cultured Pearls are classified according to their lustre, shape, surface purity, matching, nacre quality, size & colour.

Luster	The higher the luster and sharper the reflection, the greater the value.
Shape	Rarity and tradition make round pearls the most valuable.
Inclusions	The fewer the inclusions and blemishing, the greater the value.
Matching	On a multi-pearl piece or set, the more exact the matching across all attributes, the greater the value.
Nacre	The smoother and thicker the nacre, the greater the value.
Size	All other factors being equal, the larger the pearl, the greater the value.
Colour	Rarity of a colour will increase the value of a pearl(s), though colour tends to be subjective and influenced moreso by consumer trends.

The A-AAA Pearl Grading Scale
The A-AAA scale is based on the "GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors™". Internationally, it is the most commonly used grading scale in lieu of a single internationally adopted standard.

A-AAA GRADE	GRADE DESCRIPTION
n/a	n/a
AAA	Clean on 95% or more of the pearl surface Strong lustre and good reflection All Nacre Visible round shape
AA+ MODIFIER	Clean on 90% or more of the pearl surface Good lustre and weak reflection All Nacre Near round shape
AA	Clean on 80% or more of the pearl surface Weak lustre and poor reflection All Nacre Off round shape
A	Clean on 70% or more of the pearl surface Poor lustre and poor reflection All Nacre Off round shape

The A-AAA Pearl Grading Scale - The Select Pearls Standard
As the table shows, all of our pearl grades far exceed industry standards. Our quality standards have always been higher and continue to be so.

A-AAA GRADE	GRADE DESCRIPTION
AAA-HD *	Flawless, clean surfaces Sharp lustre with sharp reflection All Nacre Round shape
AAA	Clean on 98% or more of the pearl surface Sharp lustre with strong reflection All Nacre Visibly round shape
AA+	We do not sell this grade of pearl
AA	We do not sell this grade of pearl
A	We do not sell this grade of pearl

* Note:
After Freshwater cultured pearls are harvested they are sorted by size and quality. The best quality pearls, that is, pearls that are the most perfectly round, with clean surfaces, the best quality nacre, the best colour, and the sharpest luster, are set aside to be sold as loose pearls, often matched into pairs for use in making earrings.

These special pearls comprise about the top .01% of all AAA quality Freshwater cultured pearls harvested, and about the top 0.001% of all Freshwater Cultured pearls harvested each year.

These are AAA-HD quality pearls, and the finest Freshwater cultured pearls you will find anywhere.