Lustre: The distinctive characteristic, or great beauty of a true pearl (natural and cultivated) is its lustre (or orient). Lustre is a subdued iridescence, as opposed to the glittering brilliance of the diamond, and is the most important consideration when selecting a pearl. Lustre should be bright - never dull. Without lustre it does not rank as a gem pearl, no matter how perfect its form or beautiful its colour. Because South Sea pearls have a thick creamy nacre, they are noted for their rich silky lustre, and are thus valued most highly. All pearls offered by 4aDiamond.com are of high exceptional lustre and are guaranteed to be of natural color.
Size: South Sea cultured pearls dominate the pearl world in quality and size, and are generally found in sizes between 10mm and 15mm. When found, rarer pearls from 16mm to in excess of 20mm are highly prized by connoisseurs.Circled
Color: From luminescent whites to sparkling golds, the stunning range of natural colours of South Sea pearls must be seen to be believed. While colour is not normally an indicator of the quality of South Sea pearls, premium prices are fetched for pearls displaying unusually beautiful orients of coloured overtones such as White Pink, Silver Pink and Deep Gold. Pearls offered by 4aDiamond.com will be primarily white with possible slight overtones of other colors.
Shape: Perfectly round pearls and perfect teardrops are extremely rare and are therefore highly prized. This does not mean however, that other shapes do not have their own unique charm and value. Because of the thickness of South Sea pearl nacre, pearls are found in an array of sizes and shapes, including round, semi-round, button, circled, oval, drop, semi-baroque and baroque. The shape of a pearl does not affect its quality.
Round
Near Round
Oval
Drop
Reverse Drop
Short Drop
Topped Drop
Full Button
Flat Button
Triangle
Circled
Baroque
Complexion: South Sea cultured pearls are graded into Statement, Fine, Fashion and Foundation according to the quality of the complexion. Note: Visible surface characteristics are normally seen in Circle and Baroque shapes due to the nature of the pearls and the way they are formed within the shell.
Statement - Exceptional quality pearls. When set in jewelry, the face of the pearl is effectively spotless. These pearls have exquisite deep lustre with the finest quality nacre.
Fine - Premium quality pearls. When set in jewelry, the face of the pearl appears spotless. On close inspection, however, very slight imperfections on the surface may be seen. These pearls have beautiful lustre and very fine quality nacre.
Fashion - High quality pearls. From a normal viewing distance the face of the pearl may appear clean. Upon closer inspection the pearls have slight imperfections. These pearls have beautiful lustre and very fine quality nacre.
Foundation - Good quality pearls. From a normal social viewing distance the face of the pearl will have visible spots. These pearls have good lustre and fine quality nacre.
Color: From luminescent whites to sparkling golds, the stunning range of natural colours of South Sea pearls must be seen to be believed. While colour is not normally an indicator of the quality of South Sea pearls, premium prices are fetched for pearls displaying unusually beautiful orients of coloured overtones such as White Pink, Silver Pink and Deep Gold. Pearls offered by 4aDiamond.com will be primarily white with possible slight overtones of other colors.
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