Pearl Grading

FRESHWATER PEARLS

Freshwater pearls characteristically range in shape from very baroque to rice-shaped, coin-shaped and drop pearls to near-round pearls. Best known for their whimsical shapes and wide variety of sizes and colors, the character of a freshwater pearl is found in its distinctive surface texture and the warmth of its luster. Their sizes range from tiny seed pearls measuring 1 or 2 mm in diameter to 15 mm and larger. 

In addition to the traditional white body color, these pearls come in a rainbow of natural pastel colors such as lavender, pink, and every shade in between. 

  

AKOYA PEARLS

The Akoya pearl is a saltwater cultured pearl from the akoya oyster. Unlike their freshwater pearl cousins, akoya pearl oysters rarely produce more than two pearls per harvest. Akoya pearls are harvested in sizes from as small as 1 mm up to the very rare 10-11 mm. Most pearls are white to grey, with pink, green, or silver overtones.

 

PEARL GRADING

Lila Nova Jewelry uses the A-AAA grading scale. The qualities that determine the overall value of a natural or cultured pearl are size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and—for jewelry with two or more pearls—matching.

We are proud to offer AAA quality pearls. Every pearl is unique and has been carefully chosen for use in our jewelry.

 

AAA

  • Highest pearl grade available in the market
  • Luster is very high to excellent
  • Surface Quality is 95% clean or better
  • Top 1% of freshwater pearls produced today

AA+

  • Luster is very sharp to high
  • Surface Quality is 90-95% clean or better
  • Akoya pearls feature thick nacre measuring 0.4mm or more. Freshwater pearls are solid nacre.
  • Top 5 % of freshwater pearls produced today

AA

  • Luster is good to high
  • Surface Quality is 75-80% clean or better
  • Nacre is solid for Freshwater pearls. May be thin in places for Akoya pearls.
  • Top 10% of freshwater pearls produced today

A

  • Luster is fair to good
  • Blemish free 60% of all pearl surfaces
  • Nacre is visibly thin for Akoya pearls and nucleus will be visible under certain lighting conditions. Freshwater pearls are solid nacre.
  • Top 20 % of freshwater pearls produced today