Akoya Pearl Grading

If you want to own a lasting piece of jewelry, then you may consider preaching high-quality Akoya pearls. While you may have to compare the grading system of different companies, your decision will be based on how well you understand the system.

Akoya pearls are usually imported from Japan as this is the only way sellers can guarantee they are grown for two full seasons, through a farming technique called Koshimono. The process has a direct impact on the nacre thickness, which determines the durability of Akoya pearls. Based on this criterion, the Akoya pearl grading system is as follows:

Hanadama

Hanadama is a Japanese term used to describe a spherical flower. HanadamaAkoya pearls are extra fine under the pearly grading laboratory in Japan. Although the quality may differ slightly, pearls that pass the Hanadama certification are considered the finest. In fact, every Hanadama-grade strand includes an individual, numbers certificate from the laboratory indicating that it was sold as Hanadama grade. The key defining attributes include:

• Minimal to no visible blemishes on the surface
• Mirror reflection pearls
• Perfect round shape with very strong Luster
• Excellent matching
• Greater than 0.4 mm per radius, nacre determined by optical fiber

Grade AAAA

• 98-100% of thesurface is free of visible blemishes
• Sharp reflection pearls
• Perfect round shape with strong to very strong luster
• Excellent matching
• Nacre is visibly thick

Grade AAA

• 95-100% of thesurface is free of visible blemishes
• Good to strong luster
• Perfect round shape
• Good to sharp reflection pearl
• Good to excellent matching
• Nacre is visibly thick

Grade AA

• 80-100% of thesurface is free of visible blemishes
• Good to medium luster
• Perfect round shape
• Good to medium reflection pearl
• Good to excellent matching
• Medium nacre depth

Grade A

• 70-80% of the surface is free of visible blemishes
• Poor to medium luster (chalky appearance)
• Round to near round shape
• Good to medium reflection pearls
• Fair to excellent matching
• Thin nacre depth

Important Point to Note: The Pearl Science Laboratory in Japan works based on the laws set by FTC. However, these guidelines are considered unfair because they describe culture pearls as flawless. Since no pearl can pass as perfect under 10x magnification, all certificates state that the blemishing is very slight.