Our Grading System

Akoya Pearls

A AA AAA Hanadama
DESCRIPTION Low Quality Medium-Grade High-Grade Very High-Grade certified by the Pearl Science Laboratory of Japan
SURFACE Heavy blemishing with only 50% or less clean surface Minor to medium blemishing with 70-80% clean surface Very minor blemishing with 95% clean surface 99% clean surface with very minor to no blemishes visible
LUSTER Low Medium High Very High
SHAPE Off Round to Round Round Perfectly Round Perfectly Round

Golden and White South Sea Pearls

A AA AAA AAAA
DESCRIPTION Low Quality Medium-Grade High-Grade Very High-Grade
SURFACE Flaws on at least 60% of the pearl surface, with 20% containing deep imperfections Minor flaws on 50% of the surface, with 10% containing deep imperfections and 40% clean surface At least 80-85% clean on its surface, with the remaining 15-20% containing only minor imperfections with one or two deep imperfections Clean on at least 95% of the surface, with 5% concentrated imperfections
LUSTER Poor Medium High Very High
A-D GRADING SYSTEM D C A/B A

Tahitian Pearls

A AA AAA Top
DESCRIPTION Low Quality Medium-Grade High-Grade Very High-Grade
SURFACE Flaws on at least 60% of the pearl surface, with 20% containing deep imperfections Minor flaws on 50% of the surface, with 10% containing deep imperfections and 40% clean surface At least 80-85% clean on its surface, with the remaining 15-20% containing only minor imperfections with one or two deep imperfections Clean on at least 95% of the surface, with 5% concentrated imperfections
LUSTER Low Medium High High
A-D GRADING SYSTEM D C A/B A

Freshwater Pearls

A AA AAA Top
DESCRIPTION Low Quality Medium-Grade High-Grade Very High-Grade
SURFACE Heavy blemishing with only 50% or less clean surface Minor to medium blemishing with 70-80% clean surface Minor blemishing with at least 90% clean surface Very minor to no blemishing with at least 95% clean surface
LUSTER Low Medium High High
SHAPE Off Round Off Round Near Round to Round Round