珍珠分级的艺术
创造独特而美丽的珍珠首饰需要经过多个重要阶段，在这里我们将仔细研究其中最重要的一个阶段，即对每颗珍贵宝石进行珍珠分级的艺术。
Key Takeaways
- Pearls of Australia employs a comprehensive pearl grading system based on our seven virtues: Colour, Lustre, Shape, Size, Surface, Provenance and Purity.
- What makes a pearl highly valuable is the rarity of its characteristic or virtues, therefore the more spherical a pearl's shape is, the higher the lustre, the larger the size, and the better the surface quality.
- Surface quality is assed by the presence of blemishes or imperfections on the pearl's surface.
- Nacre quality refers to the thickness and quality of the nacre; the substance secreted by the pearl shell that forms the pearl.
- Matching refers to the uniformity of the pearls in a strand or pair of earrings. Well-matched pearls consider the size, shape, colour, lustre and surface quality.
Summarise this article
珍珠分级 - 养殖级
Farm Pearl Grading
这是珍珠分级过程的第一部分，我们将在此对年度产量进行初步评估，以便向珍珠养殖场管理团队提供反馈。根据这些结果，他们可以监测珍珠养殖场特定种植区的表现、个体珍珠技术人员的成果，例如珍珠的保留率、死亡率和珍珠质量。养殖场管理团队还将查看其他重要信息，例如需要分析珍珠的大小、形状和质量以确定可行性的研发实验。
养殖场分级中最重要的方面是对单个珍珠壳组的分析，以及其可销售珍珠的百分比（相对于低等级或不可销售的珍珠）、所产珍珠的大小和重量、优质形状的百分比（例如圆形、水滴形、巴洛克形等）、干净表皮的百分比以及基本颜色特征。单个珍珠组在与其他珍珠混合之前会按不同的等级进行分级。这样做的目的是在为养殖场经理和研究团队收集到关键数据后，找到匹配的珍珠对并制作珍珠串。
珍珠分级 – 优质独特的选择
在混合任何一组珍珠之前，我们都会选择优质（顶级品质）和独特（不同寻常的尺寸、形状、颜色、光泽）的珍珠。这些珍珠将成为我们原产地证明（区块链 ID）珍珠的一部分。它们被分开保存，因为我们会从它们的产地开始追踪它们的身份，到播种、收获，一直到珍珠分级和珠宝制造。这些珍珠的整个故事都被区块链数字技术记录下来，并伴随每颗珍珠一生。
珍珠分级 – 配对
一旦完成农场分级，管理层就会获得所需的信息，优质/独特珍珠的信息也会被记录下来，用于原产地证明，然后其余的收获将被混合并转移到配对部门。在这里，我们开始寻找匹配的珍珠对和珍珠串。根据收获的质量和数量，一些珍珠串将开始，但可能需要未来收获的珍珠来完成整串。当珍珠在一对或匹配的珍珠串中找到“配偶”时，它的价值会更高。
珍珠分级 – 最终等级
农场分级完成后，将挑选出优质独特的珍珠进行原产地证明，并将尽可能多的珍珠对和珍珠串配对在一起。现在是时候对每颗珍珠进行最终零售等级和价值评估，并选择哪些珍珠将制作澳大利亚珍珠珠宝系列。
零售等级涉及更精细的形状分级：
圆形、近圆形、椭圆形、水滴形、半水滴形、高按钮形、按钮形、巴洛克形和圆形。
每批货物按色调分类（如白色、银白色、乳白色、粉红色、银蓝色等）。
然后，根据珍珠表面可见瑕疵的数量、位置和类型，结合珍珠的光泽或亮度，对每颗珍珠进行皮肤等级评定。在 PoA，我们使用：A1、A2、A3、B1 和 B2 来描述这一点。
最后，每颗珍珠都要经过筛板，以确定其直径大小，精确到 0.5 毫米。
现在，最终的形状、颜色、等级（表面瑕疵和光泽）、尺寸和“匹配度”（如果是一对或一串）已经确定，就可以对其估值，然后将珍珠转移到珠宝部门进行设计、制造、组装和销售。
重要的是要记住，整个珍珠分级过程都是手工和目测完成的（不是机械化的），每颗珍珠都要经过初级和高级珍珠分级师的多次检验，以确定最终的等级和价格。这是一个漫长的过程，在珍珠养殖场收获珍珠后，可能需要几个月才能完成。
Why Grading Matters: What Makes a Pearl Valuable?
Pearl grading helps deine which pearls are rare and highest of quality. Some of the most valuable pearls are those that combine several characteristics:
High lustre: How sharply and brightly the pearl reflects light.
Symmetrical shape: Truely round or spherical pearls are rare, so shape strongly impacts the value of the pearl.
Surface quality: Fewer blemishes on a pearl means it is more valuable.
Size: An Australian South Sea pearl that is over 14mm or 15mm is seen as more valuable, with value increasing the the size of the pearl increasing.
Provenance: Where the pearl is from, if it has a Certificate of Authenticity and how it is farmed is part of the quality and therefore value of the pearl.
Purity: Referring to no chemical enhancements or unnatural processes to enhance the pearl's natural state in any way. At Pearls of Australia we only sell our pearls as nature intended - with their natural colour and lustre.
Pearl Grading Chart
While there's no universal pearl quality or grading chart, many systems share common categories.
At Pearls of Australia, this is the pearl grading chart that we refer to:
Grading Pearls Guide: Tips for Buyers
Ask for a grading guide so you know what virtues or characteristics are being assessed.
Look for provenance, especially with premium pearls, knowing where the pearl came from not only adds value to the pearl but gives you peace of mind to know that it is a real pearl.
Don'y rely only on the letters referncing the pearl (like AAA), ask how that relates to the lustre, surface quality, etc.
Understand that no grading system is truly universal in the world of pearls, different sells may use slightly different terms.
为何选择澳大利亚珍珠作为您的珍珠首饰？
发现 Pearls of Australia 的澳大利亚珍珠首饰的与众不同之处，这里的工艺与澳大利亚本地珍珠的道德采购相结合。发现我们在高级珠宝世界中脱颖而出的独特之处。
找到适合您的完美珍珠首饰！
在购买我们的澳大利亚珍珠饰品之前，您是否想与我们的珠宝和珍珠专家交谈？他们很乐意为您提供任何帮助，请发送电子邮件至hello@pearlsofaustralia.com.au或致电 (08) 6478 6886 联系他们。
FAQs: Pearl Grading
What is pearl grading?
Pearl grading is the process of evaluating the quality and value of a eparl based on set criteria such as colour, lustre, shape, size, surface, provenance and purity.
What is a pearl grading chart?
A pearl grading chart is a reference tool that helps classify pearls by grade (eg. AAA, AA, A) based on factors like surface quality, lustre, shape, etc. Because there's no single global standard, these charts can vary between sellers.
What are the main factors used in professional pearl grading?
There are several factors used in professional pearl grading, which include:
- Size
- Shape
- Colour
- Lustre
- Surface Quality
- Provenance
- Purity
Why is a pearl shapes chart useful?
A pearl shapes chart helps you understand the different pearl shapes, like round, drop, baroque, and how those shapes affect the value of the pearl. Pearls of Australia's final grading uses detailed shape categories which can be seen on our Pearl Guide page.
What is a South Sea pearl grading chart?
A South Sea pearl grading chart is a specialised grading framework for South Sea pearls, which often emphasise large size, high lustre, and clean surface. Though there is no universal chart or grading system, our grading aligns with these key virtues. Learn more about this on our Pearl Guide page.
How does the Akoya pearl grading system work?
The Akoya pearl grading system often uses the AAA-A scale. Higher grades, like AAA, mean very high lustre and clean surface. Learn more about this on our Pearl Guide page.
Do all companies use the same pearl grading systems?
No, there is no single or universal pearl grading system. Many reputable pearl sellers, including Pearls of Australia.
How is final retail value of pearls decided after pearl grading?
After farm grading, premium perals are set aside, others are matched, and then each pearl is graded for colour, shape, surface, size, lustre. Our graders assess and value each pearl by hand, considering all virtues before pearls are set into beautiful jewellery. At Pearls of Australia, the pearls graded are only from our Broken Bay and Cygnet Bay pearl farms.
Are there grades of pearls?
Yes, there are different grades of pearls and the terminology used to grade pearls typically also differs between pearl species.
South Sea pearls are often graded on a letter and number scale, with A1 being the highest and B2 being the lowest retail value of pearl. This means the scale looks like this:
A1, A2, A3, B1, B2
Akoya pearls are graded on a letter only scale, with AAA being the highest, AA being the middle and A being the lowest grade.
How can you tell if a pearl is high quality?
You can tell if a pearl is of high quality by first inspecting it and looking at its virtues.
Is it spherical in shape? Does it have a uniform colour? Is it bright and lustrous? Do you know where the pearl is from or where it was cultivated? Has it been chemically treated to enhance its colour or lustre or is it natural in both?
Next is to look at the Certificate of Authenticity, does it have one? If so, what metric has been used to value the pearl? If you're not sure - then it's always best to ask the seller to clarify their pearl grading system.
What is the best grade of pearl?
At Pearls of Australia, the best grade of pearl in relation to Australian South Sea pearls is an A1 grade.
For Australian Akoya pearls it is an AAA grade.
What are the best pearls to buy in Australia?
The best type of pearl to buy in Australia is an Australian pearl that has a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure it is really from Australia and is of natural colour and lustre.
At Pearls of Australia we cultivate the Australian South Sea pearl at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm in WA and our Australian Akoya pearls at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm in NSW.
Where can I find expert appraisers for pearl grading near me?
Although we do not appraise or grade pearls that are not grown at our own pearl farms, there are some great resources for the National Council of Jewellery Valuers Australia.
Can I get a pearl grading report before buying pearls online?
Most reputable jewellers will include the grade and information about a pearl.
For example, at Pearls of Australia, we always include the size, shape and grade of the pearl in every description so you know the quality and grade of the pearl set into a jewellery piece.