| 1 | Q: |
What are the different kinds of pearls? | | A: |
There are basically four types of pearls commonly available:
 | Freshwater, which are grown from any variety of
freshwater mollusks in lakes, rivers or ponds. These are the least expensive types of pearls.
| Akoya, cultured from Akoya oysters using a process developed by Mikimoto, are the most common saltwater pearls.
| Tahitian pearls come from the "Black Lipped" oyster Pinctada margaritifera, almost twice the size of the Japanese Akoya oyster. This warm water species is primarily cultivated in French Polynesia.
| South Sea pearls form in the "White Lipped" oyster Pinctada maxima. Because most South Sea pearls are cultivated from these wild oysters, strict quotas have been established to prevent their depletion. | | | | |
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by la3362 at 2001-10-23 13:47:56
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| 2.1 | Q: |
What determines pearl quality? | | A: |
There are five basic factors that impact a pearl's market value. These are:
| Luster - the luster is based on the thickness of a pearl's nacre (the calcium carbonate layers).
| Shape - a round shape is considered the most desirable.
| Color - depending on the type of pearl being purchased, the color will either be rare or common.
| Smoothness - a lack of surface defects improves the pearl's value.
| Size - a standard size for a pearl will vary by type of pearl. A large Akoya pearl will be considered small for a South Seas pearl. | | | | | |
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by la3362 at 2001-10-18 04:20:55
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| 2.2 | Q: |
Is there an accepted 'measure' of pearl quality? | | A: |
Unfortunately, no.
There is a scale developed by Mikimoto which grades pearls from AAA to A+ (AAA being best). AAA quality pearls have a mirror-like lustre.
There is also a grade of A - C assigned to other types of pearls, which is referenced on some retailers' sites.
It is best to ask the retailer what grade scale they use, and the grade of their pearls. |
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by la3362 at 2001-10-23 13:48:56
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