How to Determine the Quality of Pearls

Pearls are some of the most valuable stones available on the retail market. Used for all kinds of jewelry, including necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings, these precious gems start out as small pieces of sand and dust that get caught inside the shell of a clam or other mollusk. In time, they develop into the lustrous jewels we know as pearls. Some pearls are worth more than others, however, and knowing the quality of pearls can increase their selling value or stop you from paying far too much for a piece of jewelry.

Instructions

1

Hold the pearl and look at your reflection in its surface to judge its luster. If your reflection is dull or cloudy, the pearl is of low quality. If you can see yourself clearly in its surface, the pearl is of high quality.

2

Examine the surface of the pearl for spots, bumps or cracks to judge its cleanliness. The cleaner the pearl is (smooth surface, lack of spots), the higher its quality. The color should also be even all the way around.

3

Feel the pearl's shape. According to the jewelers at Pearl Paradise in Los Angeles, fully round pearls are extremely rare, and so are considered of high quality. Pearls are often flatter or even drop shaped, lowering their quality.

4

Measure the size of your pearl by wrapping it with a measuring tape. Pearls are measured in millimeters, with the smallest being less than one millimeter and the largest going up to 20 millimeters and beyond, in rare circumstances. The larger the pearl, the higher the quality.