Pearls-Pearl Jewelry

Pearl Finish

A pearl's surface, or complexion an important factor in determining a pearl's beauty. Most pearls show irregularities of some sort.

These "flaws" are naturally occurring characteristic and may not always detract from the pearl's beauty or value.

Surfaces are usually categorized into one of four grades.

1. Clean - exposed face of pearl will be spotless after the pearl has been set or included in a pearl strand.
   
   "Clean" pearls are used for the finest jewelry, especially in strands and matched pairs.
   
2. Slight - minor flaws on the surface that do not detract from the beauty of the pearl
   
3. Commercial - many blemishes, sometimes heavy pitting on the pearl's surface. If the pearl has good luster, they are used in manufactured jewelry and affordable strands.
   
4. Low Grade - pits or blemishes dominate the surface of the pearl.

Pearls