Quality:
The Origin of the Japanese Akoya pearl is Japan. MuseumWayPearls.com offers pearls from all corners of the globe including Japan, China,
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MuseumWayPearls.com - Pearl Grading and Standards
Museum Way Pearls assures our products will always uphold the exact quality promised. If there is ever a time when you receive a product from Museum Way Pearls that you do not think accurately matches the grade description listed below please let us know immediately.
As there are no set industry-wide grading standards, many pearl suppliers use their own quality assessment when grading pearls. Suppliers should always have their grading system written out as we do below. Keep that in mind always when shopping for pearls.
South Sea and Tahitian
Gem Grade - A completely round and imperfection-free pearl with magnificent luster.
AAA Grade – A pearl that is flawless on 90% or more of its exterior and has very high luster. Only 10% of the surface may exhibit minor flaws in concentrated areas. Only a single deep imperfection is allowed on a pearl. Once the pearl is either set or strung, it should be clean or mostly clean.
AA+ Grade - A pearl that is flawless on 80% or more of its exterior and has high to very high luster. Only 20% of the pearl’s surface may show minor flaws in concentrated areas. Only one or two deep imperfections are allowed. Once the pearl is either set or strung, it should be just about clean.
AA Grade - A pearl that is flawless on 70% or more of its exterior and has high to very high luster. Only one or two deep imperfections are allowed. Once the pearl is either set or strung, it should be just about clean.
A Grade - This is a pearl that is flawless on 40% or more of its exterior and has low to high luster. There could be deep imperfections on 20% of the pearl.
Saltwater Akoya Pearls
AAA Grade - A pearl that is flawless on 95% or more of its exterior and has very high luster. The pearl is perfectly round and has a thick nacre – something that gives it a radiant shine and a beautiful glow.
AA Grade - A pearl that is flawless on 75% or more of its exterior and has very high luster. This pearl has a thick nacre that is slightly thinner than that of an AAA.
A Grade – More than 25% of the pearl will show imperfections and it may have an appearance more dull than some of the higher grade pearls.
Freshwater Pearls
AAA Grade – A pearl with outstanding luster and a 95% imperfection free surface. To the naked eye most AAA freshwater pearls appear round.
AA+ Grade – A pearl that may have a slightly lower luster than the AAA grade and has a surface that is 90% blemish-free. AA+ freshwater pearls appear near-round to round to the naked eye.
AA Grade - A pearl with good luster and is overall 80% to 90% blemish-free. MuseumWayPearls.com does not carry AA quality freshwater pearls in stock.
A Grade - A pearl with moderate luster and 70% blemish-free. MuseumWayPearls.com does not carry A quality freshwater pearls in stock.