In this article I am going to give you the tips to buy pearls which include general knowledge on pearls, how to grade the pearls and how to care for your pearls, I also provide a worksheet for you to grade your pearls.
General Tips to buy pearls
Tips to buy pearls (How to grade the pearls)
The seven factors (under GIA pearl grading system) that affect the value of pearls are:
Size is measured in millimeters.
Shape- Spherical, symmetrical and baroque.
Surface quality - is judged by the size, number, location, visibility and types of blemishes. Few pearls are completely blemish free.
Nacre quality - if the nucleus is visible, the nacre is too thin. A chalky appearance might result from thin nacre or poor nacre layering.
Matching describles the uniformity of pearls in jewelry. It is not a true pearl quality factor, but it does impact value and depends on the consistency of the other six factors.
| Pearl Type | Put a tick here | |
| Fresh Water | ||
| Akoya | ||
| South Sea | ||
| Tahitian | ||
| Size (nearest 0.5mm) | ||
| Shape | ||
| Round | ||
| Near Round | ||
| Oval | ||
| Button | ||
| Drop | ||
| Semi-Baroque | ||
| Baroque | ||
| Color | ||
| Body Color | ||
| Overtone | ||
| Orient (Yes) | ||
| Orient (No) | ||
| Evidence of treatment | ||
| Yes | ||
| No | ||
| Not sure | ||
| Luster | ||
| Excellent | ||
| Good | ||
| Fair | ||
| Poor | ||
| Surface Quality | ||
| Clean | ||
| Lightly Blemished | ||
| Moderately Blemished | ||
| Heavily Blemished | ||
| Type of Blemish | ||
| Abrasion | ||
| Bump | ||
| Chip | ||
| Crack | ||
| Flat | ||
| Gap | ||
| Pit | ||
| Scratch | ||
| Spot | ||
| Wrinkle | ||
| Nacre Quality | ||
| Acceptable | ||
| Unacceptable | ||
| Matching | ||
| Not applicable | Excellent | |
| to a single pearl | Good | |
| Fair |
Tips to buy pearls (How to care for your pearls)
Last item to put on; but the first item to take out when wearing your pearls.
Not to keep your pearls with other jewelry; as the hardness of pearls are very low (3.5 to 4 on Moh scale), the surface of pearl may be scratched by other jewelry if you keep them together.
Not to wear them when you are in the kitchen. The smoke and oil may enter from the surface of the pearls and turn them yellow in no time.
Not to wash them in hotwater or tap water. The internal structure of pearls (mainly CaCo3) may be affected in hot water. Tap water has a lot of chlorine which is harmful to pearls.
Dont keep them in safe and seal them with airtight bag or box. (pearls contain 2% of water, you must air them so that the water content will always be refresh.
Not to touch its surface too frequently, you may scratch them unintentionally.
Tie a knot between each pearl and change the string once in every three years. So that if the string gave way, you will only lose one and not all your pearls.
Never ultrasonic or steam-clean pearls or use toothpaste to wash them. keep them in a small jewelry bag when not in use.
Clean pearls regularly with a soft, damp cloth.
Use non-detergent soap, lay pearls on a clean towel and dry completely before wearing.
Remove pearl jewelry before you apply cosmetics, perfume or hair spray. Not to wear them when you are playing games, do strenuous work or swim in chlorinated po
