Tahitian Pearls Grading
The Ministry of Pearl Culture and the Tahitian Pearl Promotion Board (GIE) regulate and promote the cultivation of Tahitian pearls as well as oversee issues related to consumer protection. French Polynesia has established its own pearl A-D grading system (with A as top quality), commonly known as the “Tahitian system”, used specifically for Tahitian and South Sea pearls, and most reputable dealers worldwide also adhere to this system.
DawnRose Pearls only sell AA+-AAA quality of Tahitian pearl strand, and only choose the Tahitian pearls with AA+-AAA or gem quality to assemble earring and pendant.
An overview of pearl grading factors can be found here.
Tahitian System by the Ministere de la Perliculture of Tahiti |
DawnRose Pearls A-AAA system |
Surface |
Lustre |
A |
AAA |
Very slight concentrated imperfections; Only a single deep inclusion allowable; <10% flaw surface; Earrings/pendant is set perfectly clean(<0-3%). |
Very high |
A/B |
AA+ |
Slight concentrated imperfections; Only one or two deep inclusions allowable; <20% flaw surface; Earrings/pendant is set clean. |
High-very high |
B |
AA |
Some visible defects; <30% flaw surface |
High-Medium |
C |
Not sold at DawnRose Pearls |
some slight concentrated imperfections with 10% of deep imperfections tolerated <60% flaw surface |
Medium |
D |
Not sold at DawnRose Pearls |
Heavily dotted >60% deep flaws |
Irrelevan |
