White South Sea and Golden South Sea pearls are the most sought-after cultured versions of the gems in the world. That’s because they are the rarest, and offer the most luster and greatest pearls sizes. Both Golden South Sea and White South Sea pearls are cultivated in saltwater.
What kind of pearl is the most expensive?
South Sea pearls are considered the most valuable. They are also the largest pearl variety on the market. A strand of South Sea pearls can range from $1,000 to over $100,000.
What is the highest grade of pearls?
Freshwater
| A | AAA | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Heavy blemishing with only a 50% or less clean surface. | Minor blemishing with at least 90% of the pearl surface clean. |
| Luster | Poor | High |
| Shape | Off Round | Near Round to Round |
Which is better Akoya or South Sea pearls?
As mentioned earlier, the size of this gem typically ranges between 3.0mm to 9.5mm. If this fits your requirement then an Akoya pearl will give you excellent value for money. South Sea pearls, on the other hand, are treasured for having the thickest nacre of all.
What are the different grades of pearls?
pearl sizing
| A | AA | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Heavy Blemishing with only 50% or less clean surface. | Minor to medium blemishing witd a 70-80% clean surface. |
| Luster | Poor | Medium |
| Nacre | Thin | Medium |
| Shape | Round/Off Round | Round |
How can I tell if a pearl is real?
The Tooth Test: To find out if a pearl is real, lightly rub it against the front of your tooth — not against the edge, which can scratch the pearl. If natural or cultured, rather than simulated, the pearl should feel gritty.
Why are some pearls so cheap?
And they were not just small in size but they were early harvest pearls. This means they did not stay in the water very long and did not have the depth of nacre quality that South Sea Pearls are known for. … A pearl with lower nacre quality is one possible reason why her pearl was so cheap!
What is AAA pearl quality?
The AAA-A Scale
This system grades pearls on a scale from AAA to A, with AAA being the highest grade. This grading scale is common to freshwater and akoya pearls only, but is accepted by many with South Sea and Tahitian pearls as well.
What is the rarest color for a pearl?
Pink pearls are highly prized, especially in the United States, but are among the rarest natural pearl colors. These are created by the endangered queen conch snail and as yet have not been successfully cultured. As a result, most pink pearls on the market are dyed freshwater pearls.
Are AAA quality pearls good?
Grades are based upon a certain percentage of surface blemishes allowable, specific rate of luster (the sharpness of reflections) and shape. The A-AAA scale is used most commonly with Akoya and Freshwater pearls, but also converts easily from the Tahitian and South Sea grading scales of A-D that most pearl farmers use.
Which country has the best pearls?
Japan is the acknowledged leader in Akoya pearl production – known to produce the best, most consistently beautiful Akoya pearls in the world. SIZES: Akoya pearls range in size from 2.0-3.0mm up through 9.0-9.5mm, and very rarely, 9.5-10.0mm.
Why is Mikimoto so expensive?
They are rarer and therefore they are a lot more expensive than their cultured pearl counterparts. So, when cultured pearl entered the scene they were gorgeous pearls and they were a lot cheaper and usually rounder than natural pearls.
How can you tell Akoya pearls?
Akoya pearls also have very clean, smooth complexions. Look for pearls that are blemish free, allowing the full reflection of light. Akoya cultured pearls come in various shades of white to white-pink. Select the color that looks best with your skin.
Where is the best place to buy pearls?
Top 5 Best Places To Buy Pearls
- Online Pearl Specialist (PurePearls.com) – *Top Pick.
- eBay.
- Brick and Mortar Jewelry Stores (Zales, Kay’s, etc)
- Big Box Retailers (Blue Nile, Overstock, etc)
- Luxury Retailers (Mikimoto, Tiffany’s, et al)
What is a good quality pearl?
Pearl Quality Factors
The combination of surface brilliance and a deep-seated glow, the luster of a good-quality cultured pearl should be bright, not dull. Your reflection should be seen clearly on the surface of a cultured pearl. Any pearl that looks too chalky or dull indicates low quality.
Do real pearls turn yellow?
Yellow pearls typically indicate that pearls are real since artificial pearls don’t normally change color. While natural white pearls can yellow with age, there are such things as naturally yellow pearls. … These iconic fashion accessories usually turn yellow as time passes because they dry out.