The classification of Akoya pearls.
The most important thing and the first thing to understand about the classification of pearls is that, unlike diamonds, there is no standardized system. Each brand or company creates its own subjective system. So you should not take it into account to compare pearls from different companies.
This is the system we use at Secret & You to grade our Akoya pearls:
S&Y Signature
The pearls that we categorize as S&Y Signature, are exceptional pearls, these pearls are usually sold in the wholesale market, loose, or in pairs and without drilling. They are generally reserved for creating earrings, pendants or rings, but can also be used to create a pearl necklace of exceptional quality.
- They show a very intense shine.
- Exhibits an excellent, almost mirror-like reflection.
- Its shape is completely round
- Surface clean of imperfections.
- Thick mother-of-pearl
- Excellent matchup.
AAA
- The brightness is excellent, intense and reflective.
- Shows a very sharp reflex.
- The shape is round.
- 98% clean surface.
- The mother-of-pearl is visibly thick.
- Excellent matchup.
AA+
- The brightness is very intense.
- Displays a sharp reflection.
- The shape is round
- Surface is 90-95% clean, they may have some small inconspicuous imperfections or in an inconspicuous area.
- The thickness of the mother-of-pearl is visibly thick.
- Roughed between very good and excellent.
AA
- The brightness is between intense and good.
- Shows a good reflex.
- The shape is round
- Surface is 80-90% clean, they may have some small inconspicuous imperfections or in an inconspicuous area.
- The thickness of the mother-of-pearl is medium.
- Matched very good.
A
- Medium to low brightness.
- Displays a good to faded reflection.
- The shape is between semi round.
- Clean surface on more than 60% of the surface.
- The thickness of mother-of-pearl is fine.
- Matched good to medium.
Finally, we want to clarify that these criteria are not completely static, in case some pearls stand out especially in one of the factors, they can be graduated up or down. For example, a pearl that has a small blemish but shows exceptional luster may be graded AAA, even though pearls in this category generally have a clean surface.
In Secret & You we consider brilliance, the most important quality of pearls, so it greatly determines the grade assigned.