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| The value and rarity of the pearl is defined by the beauty of its color, its shape, and its size.
In these factors every pearl is unique. |
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| The average Tahitian cultured pearl’s diameter ranges between 9 to 12 mm. Larger size are exceptional. The largest ever found was 20.92mm, you can see it at the Papeete museum in Tahiti. The value of a pearl fluctuates greatly depending on the size, it can double for few millimeters. |
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| Shapes are classified by their rarity and value: |
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| The luster is the reflective quality of the pearl’s surface. The way the layers of nacre were made by the oyster will give to the pearl a high or low reflection of light - a high or low luster. |
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| The French Polynesian Parliament regulation defined 4 basic qualities, based on the number of imperfection found on the surface of the pearl as well as the intensity of the luster |
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One or a few imperfections on less than 10% of the surface of the pearl.
The luster must be high |
Few imperfections on 10 to 30 % of the surface.
The luster must at least be average |
Slight imperfection on 30 to 60 % of the surface.
The luster is low
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Imperfections on more than 60 % of the surface.
The luster is weak
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The Tahitian pearls come in a wide variety of colors which reflect the palette of the Polynesian islands: as blue as the lagoon, as green as the lush vegetation, as pink the color of a sunset.
The colors do not play a role on the classification.
The value of a color is up to the personal taste of each individual, even though some color can be rarer than others. |
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