The Grading of Pearls

With fresh pearl harvests being pulled from the oceans periodically, pearl producers have a monumental task of sorting their harvest in order to get their product to market most effectively and efficiently.

At the same time, among the various farm harvests on offer, intermediary dealers have to determine the correct merchandise to procure and decide at what price to distribute the pearls to their varying customers effectively.

The process is a delicate and complicated one that requires some critical thinking. One aspect of effective distribution is having in place an accurate, consistent, and clear grading and assessment system. However, the sorting, grading, and evaluation of the harvest remains highly subjective, differing among the traders in the supply chain.

Each stakeholder in the distribution chain will have a personalized method of interpreting the characteristics of their pearls based on a myriad of factors not limited to local market conditions, their clientele, operating costs, brand image, or simply just the balance of supply and demand.

In order for pearls to change hands seamlessly between the many dealers in the distribution chain, grading systems have to be understood, appreciated, and trusted. This usually is a process of trial and error and requires some time and patience before a smooth flow is established between the buyer and the seller. It is also what keeps the cultured pearl trade dynamic and engaging.

Take some time to look at our Grading Guidelines to understand some of the characteristics we use to evaluate our pearls on offer. If you have any questions or need any clarifications, contact us anytime.