Cultured Tahitian Pearl Grading
PearlParadise.com has adopted the Tahitian pearl grading standards set forth by GIE Perles de Tahiti, and the Ministere de la Perliculture of Tahiti; the governmental organizations of French Polynesia dedicated to the promotion and regulation of Tahitian pearls, and consumer protection.
Please note, PearlParadise.com does not subscribe to superfluous grades such as AAA+ and AAAA. These are not industry accepted grades.
A-D (Tahitian) Grading |
A-AAA Grading |
Grading Description and Criteria
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Gem Grade |
- Flawless pearl with excellent luster
- Pearl exhibits no inclusions or imperfections prior to setting or drilling
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A |
AAA |
- Flawless on at least 90% of pearl’s surface
- Only 10% of pearl’s surface may exhibit slight, concentrated imperfections
- Only a single deep inclusion allowable
- Pearl should drill or set clean to virtually clean
- Luster is very high
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A/B |
AA+ |
- Flawless on at least 80% of pearl’s surface
- Only 20% of pearl’s surface may exhibit slight, concentrated imperfections
- Only one or two deep inclusions allowable
- Pearl should drill or set clean to nearly clean
- Luster is high to very high
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B |
AA |
- Flawless on at least 70% of pearl’s surface
- Only 30% of pearl’s surface may exhibit slight, concentrated imperfections
- Only one or two deep inclusions allowable
- Pearl should drill or set nearly clean
- Luster is high to very high
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C |
A+ |
- Flawless on at least 40% of pearl’s surface
- Up to 60% of pearl’s surface may exhibit slight, concentrated imperfections
- Deep inclusions are limited to 10% of pearl’s surface
- Luster is medium to very high
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- At least 60% of pearl’s surface will exhibit flaws
- Deep inclusions and/or white spots within inclusions on up to 20% of pearl’s surface
- Luster is poor to very high
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*Cultured Tahitian pearls that do not fall into a category above, or do not meet the minimum nacre depth requirements of .8 mm per radius, do not pass the mandatory examination of the Ministere de la Perliculture of Tahiti. Those pearls are refused for export and destroyed. |
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