Quality of pearls
Six factors that determine price
Just like human beings, each pearl has its own personality. Therefore, there is no one thing in the world that is exactly the same. In addition to size, the value of a pearl is determined by six other factors: color, Teri(luster),Maki(Nacre thickness), shape, and flaws (dimples).
Size
For pearls of the same quality, the larger the size, the higher the price.
However, the size of the nucleus also depends on the size of the target pearl, so even for the same size, the value of a larger nucleus from a smaller nucleus is different from a larger nucleus made in a short period of time.
Sizes are expressed in millimeters (mm) of the diameter of the beads.
Color
Pearls have a strong image of being white, but they come in a variety of colors depending on the type of shell.
Also, even pearls made from the same type of shellfish can have slightly different colors depending on the genetic pigment of the shellfish.
Good and bad colors vary according to preference, but Akoya pearls come in white, pink, blue, cream, and yellow varieties. White butterfly pearls come in white and gold shades, while black butterfly pearls come in shades of black, gray, green, etc.
Teri (luster)
The word "Teri" refers to the brilliance of a pearl.
Fine, evenly stacked layers of pearls with a smooth surface produce interference colors due to the reflection of light. The shine of a pearl is also related to the "roll" below, and thicker rolls tend to produce more luster.
Teri is considered to be of good quality when it is not just the surface luster but also the deep shine from deep within the pearl. When worn on the skin, the taut pearls appear to rise out of the skin, giving off a soft glow unique to pearls.
Maki(Nacre thickness)
The term "Maki" refers to the thickness of the nacre.
It takes a long time to identify the thickness of a roll with the naked eye, and it is difficult for the average person to identify the thickness of a roll in a store.
In general, the thicker the roll, the less likely it is to change over time and the longer its beauty tends to last.
It is a very important element in the condition of good quality pearls, and those with thicker rolls and a transparent pearl layer produce a deeper luster.
Blemish (dimples)
Blemish are also known as dimples, which are natural depressions or abrasions that occur during the process of pearls being nurtured in the sea.
The less blemish there are, the more rare they become, and with that, the more expensive the price becomes. Pearls are a natural product of nature, so few of them are intact.
Depending on the application, we process to bring out the beautiful surface of the pearl as much as possible, such as the position to drill the hole.