Understanding Pearls
Like the "four Cs" of diamond quality, shopping for pearls involves paying attention to a few important elements. High-quality pearl jewelry should consist of pearls of high luster and good surface quality, and the pearls should match in terms of color, shape and size.
Luster
Luster is the shine and glow of the pearl, and a very important factor when it comes to judging beauty. The intensity of a pearl's luster is determined by its nacre, the layers of calcium carbonate that make up the pearl. The longer a pearl is left in the oyster, the thicker the nacre. The luster of a good quality pearl should be bright and not dull.
Shape
Pearls come in many shapes, depending on how they are formed within the mollusk. Because most people expect pearls to be round, and round pearls are very rare, they tend to be much more expensive than other shapes.
Surface Quality
Surface quality refers to the topography of the pearl. Pearls are natural, so when you look at them closely, many tend to have imperfections such as tiny spots, bumps, or wrinkles. A pearl with fewer surface markings is more rare and valuable.
Size
Pearl size refers to the pearl's diameter, which is measured in millimeters. Normally, the larger the pearl, the more rare it is and the more valuable. Keep in mind that pearl strands also have a length, which also affects price because of the number of pearls needed to create that particular necklace length.
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