HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PEARL

There are several types of pearls, distinguished by the species of pearl oyster or mollusc they come from, where they are grown and how they form.

At Pearls of Australia, we specialise in Australian-grown Saltwater pearls, including Australian South Sea pearls, Australian Akoya pearls, Keshi pearls and Mabe pearls. Australian South Sea pearls are grown in the Pinctada maxima pearl shell at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in Western Australia, while Australian Akoya pearls are grown in the Pinctada fucata pearl shell at Broken Bay Pearl Farm in New South Wales.

Keshi pearls are non-beaded pearls formed as part of the culturing process and are recognised for their organic shapes and exceptional lustre.

Mabe pearls are grown against the inside of the pearl shell, giving them their characteristic flat-backed form.

Pearl size is generally measured in millimetres (mm) across the widest part of the pearl. As a guide, Australian Akoya pearls are typically smaller, while Australian South Sea pearls can grow considerably larger.

A difference of only a few millimetres can have a noticeable effect on how a pearl looks when worn. Smaller pearls tend to create a more delicate appearance, while larger pearls make a stronger statement.

When choosing a size, consider both your personal preference and how the pearl will be worn. A size that suits a subtle pair of earrings may be very different from the pearl you would choose as the focal point of a pendant or ring.

Pearl quality is assessed through a combination of lustre, surface, shape, size and colour.

Lustre describes the quality and sharpness of the light reflected from the pearl and is one of the most important indicators of quality.

Surface quality considers the presence of natural marks or blemishes, while shape looks at the pearl's symmetry and form.

Size and colour can also influence rarity and value.

Because pearls are produced by a living organism, natural variations are expected. Rather than looking at any single characteristic alone, pearls are assessed according to the overall balance of these qualities.

Pearl grades help describe characteristics such as surface quality and lustre, but grading systems can vary between pearl producers and retailers.

At Pearls of Australia, our Australian Akoya pearl surface grading ranges from AAA to A. AAA indicates a clean to lightly blemished surface, AA indicates a moderately blemished surface and A indicates a more heavily blemished surface.

Our Australian South Sea pearls use a different grading system, with classifications such as A1, A2, A3 and B grades to describe their surface characteristics.

Because there is no single universal pearl grading system used throughout the industry, it is important to understand the grading standards of the pearl producer you are purchasing from rather than comparing a grade in isolation.

Pearls naturally develop in many different shapes. Common pearl shapes include round, near-round, button, high button, drop, oval, baroque and circle.

Perfectly round pearls are among the rarest because achieving a highly symmetrical shape naturally is uncommon. Near-round pearls have only slight variations from a true round, while button and high-button pearls have a more compressed profile. Drop and oval pearls have an elongated form and are particularly suited to pendants and earrings.

Baroque pearls feature irregular, organic shapes, while circle pearls have distinctive natural rings or grooves around their surface.

There is no single "best" pearl shape. The right shape depends on the look you prefer and the jewellery design in which the pearl will be worn.