CubicZirconia.com Pearl Education (Pearl and CZ Jewelry, Grades of Pearls Used)

Color and Quality Choices

 

White Cultured: Genuine Round White South Sea Cultured Pearls Fine Grade AA
South Sea pearls are 100% natural and feature remarkable luster.  These high quality pearls are available

Shape: Round
Hardness: 2.5 - 4
Quality: Grade AA Fine
Description: Excellent luster and excellent quality nacre; color and luster are natural (untreated)
Major sources: Australia
Sizes available: 9.0 mm to 15.0 mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tahitian Cultured: Genuine Round Fancy Tahitian Cultured Pearls Grade A

Shape: Round
Hardness: 2.5 - 4
Quality: Grade Fancy-A
Description: Overtones of pink, blue, gold, green, silver and reddish purple; very good luster; slight blemishes distributed over less than 10% of the surface
Major sources: French Polynesia
Sizes available: 9.0 mm to 15.0 mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akoya Cultured White: Genuine Round White Akoya Cultured Pearl Grade AA

Shape: Round
Hardness: 2.5 - 4
Quality: Grade AA
Description: Color range: white, pinkish or creamy; clean: good shape; good luster
Major sources: China, Japan
Sizes available: 4.0 mm to 8.0 mm

 

 

 

 

 

Akoya Cultured Black: Genuine Round Black Akoya Cultured Pearl Grade AA

Shape: Round
Hardness: 2.5 - 4
Quality: Grade AA
Description: Color range: grey to black with pink, green, blue or purple overtones; clean: good shape; good luster
Major sources: China, Japan
Sizes available: 2.5 mm to 8.0 mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imitation White: Round White Imitation Pearl

Shape: Round
Quality: Half-Drilled
Description: Glass; Color range: white, pinkish or cream; good shape; good luster

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

 

Imitation Black: Round Black Imitation Pearl
Shape: Round
Quality: Half-Drilled
Description: Glass; Color range (dyed): grey with green, pink, blue, or purple overtones; good shape; good luster
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

How to Care for your Pearls

Pearls are not for everyday wear, and one should take care when wearing.  Avoid exposure to heat, and protect from scratches and harsh blows.  Avoid contact with chemicals, especially perfumes, perspiration, and hair sprays.  To clean, wipe gently with a moist cloth. 

Pearl Jewelry

Click here to see our collection of jewelry made with pearls

Interesting Facts about Genuine Pearls

1. Genuine pearls are the only gemstones made by live animals (mollusks).
2. A pearl's color is determined by the inside of the shell where they are growing, with genuine pearl colors ranging from the traditional white, pink and gold on one side of the spectrum, and from gray and dark purple to jet-black on the other end.
3. Every genuine pearl is unique. Now two are exactly alike, and as such every real pearl will have both small differences from all others, as well as some imperfections.
4. Pearls have culturally been seen to symbolize loyalty, faithfulness, friendship, and elegance.
5. Many genuine pearls are part of heirloom jewelry, and have been passed down through multiple generations of owners/wearers.
6. Pearl was named the official U.S. birthstone for the month of June by the American Association of Jewelers in the year 1912.
7. Once a pearl is harvested from the live mollusk that created and formed it, it is actually possible to implant the mollusk with the makings of another (meaning a single mollusk may make many pearls over its lifetime).
8. South Sea pearls are famous for their gold hues and Tahitian pearls are famous for their natural black and gray colors.
9. Nearly 95% of pearls harvested today are cultured/cultivated pearls.
10. The earliest known piece of pearl jewelry was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess dating back to 520 BC.