icon

Holiday Sale - 15% OFF

& Free 1-Day FedEx (orders $398+)*

The Wide World of Pearls, Our 120th Issue: What is the Difference Between AAAA and AAA Freshwater Pearls?

 

Pearls of Joy Pearl Quote of the Week: CoCo Chanel Pearls

 

 

 

Eye Candy

 

Weekly Eye Candy Spotlight: White Freshwater Pearl Love Necklace

 

 

"L" IS FOR THE WAY YOU LOOK AT ME ...

Could there be anything sweeter than this simple, adorable "LOVE" Freshwater pearl necklace? J'adore! 

 

 

 

You Asked ...

Every day we receive questions from customers all over the world about pearls. We decided to post our answers here for every one to read!

 

What is the Difference Between AAAA and AAA Freshwater Pearls?

 

Freshwater Pearl Grades

 

 

We Answer:  

The A-AAAA Pearl Grade System evaluates cultured Freshwater pearls.
 
On the A – AAAA Scale, “AAAA” represents the highest pearl quality and pearl grades gradually step down to “A”, which is the lowest (usually commercial quality) pearl grade available.
 
Jewelers and appraisers use “7 Value Factors” to evaluate and grade pearls. Five of those factors are used to determine a pearl’s grade on the A – AAAA Grading Scale.
 
Freshwater Pearl Value Factors Are:
  • Surface Quality
  • Luster
  • Shape
  • Matching
  • Nacre Thickness (if applicable) 
In this post, let's examine the A-AAAA Pearl Quality pearl grading scales so you can get more familiar with what each pearl grade should look like.


AAAA Quality Freshwater Pearl Grade

AAAA Quality Pearls 

Shape: Very Near True Round, Extremely Small Deviation from True Round Allowable

Surface Quality: 95-99% Clean to the Eye. Necklace will appear clean to the eye upon casual inspection. Close inspection will reveal shallow inclusions less than 5% of total strand.

Luster: Excellent / Very Sharp. Detailed Reflections Visible in Surfaces

Matching: Near-Perfect to Perfect for Size, Shape, Body Color, Overtone, Surface Quality and Luster

Nacre Thickness: Solid Nacre



AAA Quality Freshwater Pearl Grade  

AAA Quality Pearls 

Shape: Slightly Off-Round to Very Slightly Off-Round

Surface Quality: 95% Clean to the Eye. Close inspection will reveal shallow inclusions less than 5% of total strand, 1-2 Deep Inclusions Allowable.

Luster: Very High / Good Detailed Reflections Visible in Surfaces

Matching: Very Good Matching for Size, Shape, Body Color, Overtone, Surface Quality and Luster

Nacre Thickness: Solid Nacre

 

AA Quality Freshwater Pearl Grade 

 

AA Quality Pearls 

Shape: Visibly Off-Round to Oval Shapes

Surface Quality: 90% Clean to the Eye. Inspection will reveal shallow inclusions less than 10% of total strand, 2-3 Deeper Inclusions Allowable.

Luster: High to Very High / Good Detailed Reflections Visible in Surfaces

Matching: Good for Size, Shape, Body Color, Overtone, Surface Quality and Luster, Some Slight Variation in Size and Shape is Normal

Nacre Thickness: Solid Nacre

 

 A Quality Freshwater Pearl Grade

 

A Quality Pearls 

Shape: Visibly Off-Round to Oval Shapes

Surface Quality: 60-70% Clean to the Eye. Easily Visible Blemishing Throughout

Luster: Dull / Visibly Blurred Reflections

Matching: Fair for Size, Shape, Body Color, Overtone, Surface Quality and Luster, Visible Variation in Size and Shape is Normal

Nacre Thickness: Solid Nacre

 

*Pearls of Joy does not offer AA or A Quality Freshwater pearls.

 

 Email Us a Question

 

 

Weekly Video

 

 

 

 Watch the Pearls of Joy Weekly Video Review

 

Featured Pearls 

Weekly Product Spotlight: White Freshwater Pearl Love Necklace, 6.0-6.5mm 

 

6.0-6.5mm White Freshwater Cultured Pearl Love Necklace

Timeless and elegant, white Freshwater pearls are the jewel of choice by women around the globe. Their luminous glow flatters every skin tone, face shape, and age and can be dressed up or down.

Each of the pearls for our 7-8 mm white freshwater pearl necklace is hand-selected then strung and double-knotted on the finest silk. Personalize your necklace with your choice of sterling silver or 14K white or yellow gold clasps.

All of our jewelry is delivered in an elegant jewelry box, ready for offering — even to yourself!

 

View Details: White Freshwater Pearl Love Necklace, 6.0-6.5mm

Sign Up for Instant Savings!

Get it Quick

Free 2-Day FedEx on all orders within the USA. Overnight delivery options start at $35.

Orders Ship Fast

Most orders ship within 1-2 business days, sometimes same day.

We Ship Worldwide

International shipping is affordable and fast. Most international packages arrive in 2-4 business days.

Worry Free Delivery

Your package is fully insured. If your order is lost or stolen before delivery, we got you covered.

Pearls of Joy markup is typically 1.4x

Traditional retail markup is 8-10x