The classification of the pearls of the South Sea.

The most important and first thing you should understand about pearl grading is that, unlike diamonds, there is no standardized system. Each brand or company creates its own subjective system. Therefore, you should not consider it when comparing pearls from different companies.

As with Tahitian pearls, in the case of South Sea pearls, color affects the price of the pearls but not their quality. In particular, with golden pearls, you can find two AAA necklaces, one with a slightly yellow tone and another with a deep golden tone, and you will see that the latter has a much higher price, even though their quality is the same.

At syperlas.com we describe all our South Sea pearls in detail and photograph them individually.

The system described below refers to the surface of the pearls and their luster.

SY Signature

The South Sea pearls that we categorize as S&Y Signature are exceptional pearls.

• Impeccable surface, the pearls show no imperfections or inclusions before being drilled and mounted.
• Excellent luster.

AAA

• Clean surface on 90% of the pearl.
• Only 10% of the pearl may show slight concentrated imperfections.
• Only one deep inclusion is allowed.
• The mounted pearl must have a practically clean surface.
• The luster is very high.

AA+

• Clean surface on 80% of the pearl.
• Only 20% of the pearl may show slight concentrated imperfections.
• Only one deep inclusion is allowed.
• The mounted pearl must have a fairly clean surface.
• The luster is very high.

AA

• Clean surface on 70% of the pearl.
• Only 30% of the pearl may show slight concentrated imperfections.
• Only one or two deep inclusions are allowed.
• The mounted pearl must have a fairly clean surface.
• The luster is between high and very high.

A+

• Clean surface on 40% of the pearl.
• Up to 60% of the pearl may show slight concentrated imperfections.
• Deep inclusions are limited to 10% of the pearl.
• The luster is between medium and high.

A

• 60% of the pearl shows imperfections.
• Deep inclusions and white spots on a maximum of 20% of the pearl.
• The luster ranges from low to fairly high.