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 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