| The value of cultured pearls is based on five | | | | is, and how long that nucleus has been in the |
| factors. | | | | mollusk being covered with nacre, the pearly |
| Cleanliness refers to the skin of the pearl and any | | | | substance. Tahitian pearls, or South Seas pearls |
| imperfections. There may be tiny blisters, | | | | are the biggest because the mollusk grows up to |
| irregularities or bumps. Since the pearl was | | | | 12 inches in diameter. |
| created naturally by a biological animal some | | | | Color - the most valuable pearls, with the |
| imperfections are to be expected. Large | | | | exception of South Sea black pearls, have a body |
| irregularities devalue the pearl significantly. If there | | | | tone of pure white with an overtone of rose. The |
| is only a modest blemish it may be hidden by the | | | | more cream colored the pearl, meaning it has |
| setting of the pearl. Or if the pearl is in a necklace | | | | tints of yellow, the less valuable. South Sea pearls |
| or bracelet the drill hole may hide the imperfection. | | | | are valued different because they have a dark |
| Shapes in pearls comes in three varieties, round, | | | | body tone overlaid with rainbow colors. These |
| baroque and symmetrical. The rounder, or more | | | | pearls also come in white and gold. |
| spherical, the pearl the more valuable. Symmetrical | | | | Luster is the reflective glowing attribute of pearls. |
| pearls can be flattened but evenly shaped, think | | | | They're not sparkly like diamonds or colored |
| of a button. Baroque means any pearl that didn't | | | | gemstones, nor do they glisten like opals. When |
| make the grade for symmetrical. Baroque are the | | | | you look at a pearl there is an iridescent factor |
| most common shape of pearls and a the least | | | | like a rainbow being reflected back at you. This is |
| expensive. Pearls can't be cut to shape like | | | | called orient. High luster and orient means you |
| gemstones, what you see is what you have to | | | | have a valuable pearl. |
| work with. | | | | While this has nothing to do with value, don't go |
| Size matters. Yes it's the bigger the better for | | | | looking pearls when you're shucking oysters for |
| pearls. Size is partially determine by the size of | | | | dinner. Pearl oysters are non edible. |
| the mollusk (oyster), how big the nucleus or seed | | | | |