Arc en Ciel · Bora Bora
If you are planning to purchase Tahitian pearls, these five criteria can help you decide which pearl is right for you.
The amount of lustre (shine, sheen) depends on how light is reflected from the pearl's surface. A superb lustre means that a lot of light is reflected, creating a mirror-like effect. A faint lustre means that the surface is dull and has poor light-reflecting qualities.
A naked-eye examination of a pearl’s surface is enough to assess its smoothness. Any alteration in the nacre is considered a surface imperfection, such as punctures, scratches, deposits, streaks and swellings. A flawless, perfectly smooth surface is rare and exceptional. According to luster and smoothness, the source page classifies pearls into Top gem, A-grade, B-grade, C-grade and D-grade.
Size refers to the pearl's diameter, measured in millimetres, and the source page states that it usually ranges from 8mm to 16mm.
The source page lists seven basic shapes: Round, Semi-round, Drop, Oval, Button, Semi-baroque and Baroque. It also mentions ringed, or circled, pearls as a derived category.
Color is an additional criterion that depends on personal taste. Tahitian cultured pearls naturally come in a wide array of distinctive colors, including cherry, peacock, pistachio, golden, gray and white.
Quality criteria help describe a pearl objectively, but color, size and shape also remain a matter of personal taste. The goal is to find the Tahitian pearl whose character suits you best.
