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

Akoya 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
HANADAMA * MODIFIER	Clean surfaces Sharp lustre with mirror-like reflection Very thick nacre Perfectly round shape Sometimes accompanied by a certificate; usually done in-house, not by an independent 3rd party
AAA	Clean on 95% or more of the pearl surface Strong lustre and strong reflection Thick nacre Perfectly round shape
AA+/AAA MODIFIER	Clean on 90% or more of the pearl surface Strong lustre and strong reflection Medium-thick nacre Round shape
AA+ MODIFIER	Clean on 90% or more of the pearl surface Good lustre and good reflection Medium-thick nacre Round shape
AA	Clean on 80% or more of the pearl surface Good lustre and weak reflection Medium-thin nacre Round shape
A	Clean on 70% or more of the pearl surface Poor lustre and poor reflection Thin nacre Round/near round shape

* Note:
Although Hanadama is an industry term, it is not a grade designation in the A-AAA grading system. Technically speaking, a Hanadama rating is best described as a certified AAA strand. It is a benchmark for quality and provides the consumer certainty of the quality of pearl they have.

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
HANADAMA *	Flawless, clean surfaces Sharp lustre with mirror-like reflection Very thick nacre Perfectly round shape Must be independently certified and accompanied by a numbered certificate, such as a PSL
AAA	Clean on 98% or more of the pearl surface Sharp lustre with mirror-like reflection Very Thick nacre Perfectly round shape
AA+/AAA	Clean on 97% or more of the pearl surface Sharp lustre and sharp reflection Thick nacre Perfectly round shape
AA+	Clean on 95% or more of the pearl surface Strong lustre and strong reflection Thick nacre Perfectly round shape
AA	We do not sell this grade of pearl
A	We do not sell this grade of pearl

* Note:
All of the Select Pearls Akoya pearls are natural in colour; they have not been bleached or colour treated. This is reflected on the numbered PSL certificates with the special appellation that comes with our Hanadama strands.