Pearl Value Factors (2024)

FAQs

Pearl Value Factors? ›

The qualities that determine the overall value of a natural or cultured pearl or a piece of pearl jewelry are size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and—for jewelry with two or more pearls—matching.

GIA uses a comprehensive standard it developed over a 70-year period of ground-breaking research on pearls, called The GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors™ (Size, Shape, Color, Luster, Surface, Nacre, and Matching).

The GIA Description System describes properties that all pearls, whether natural or cultured, saltwater or freshwater, have in common. Every pearl's value is determined by considering seven properties called value factors. The seven value factors are luster, size, shape, surface, color, nacre quality and matching.

There are 6 main factors to keep in mind when determining a pearl's quality, value and ultimately the price of the pearls: Nacre, Luster, Surface, Shape, Color and Size. Nacre: Nacre is the smooth surface that gives the pearl its beauty.

Determining the worth of a pearl involves assessing various factors such as type, size, shape, uniformity, color, luster, surface quality, and origin. The value of a pearl ranges depending on its unique characteristics and market demand.

The Lustrous Allure

Luster is perhaps the most important factor when evaluating Akoya pearls. It is the luster that imparts a cultured pearl's beauty. Professionals classify luster on a scale ranging from poor to excellent.

Luster: Of the seven pearl value factors, luster might be the most important. Luster is what gives a natural or cultured pearl its unique beauty. Within a pearl type, when other value factors are equal, the higher the luster, the more valuable the pearl.

It's often assumed that because something's old it must be valuable. That's rarely true and certainly not for pearls. Advances in technology and culturing techniques mean you can buy a much better set of pearls for far less money than in grandma's time.

Natural golden pearls are extremely rare and highly coveted. They are primarily found in a golden-lipped variety of an oyster. As the oyster deposits nacre around the irritant, the presence of a specific pigment in the oyster leads to the nacre's golden tone.

Pearls with particular brand names will also retain (and even increase) their value over the years; vintage Mikimoto Akoya pearls that still have their original clasp, box and papers to establish provenance are very highly sought after today and continue to fetch premium resale values.

What can ruin pearls? ›

The organic structure that gives rise to a pearl's lustre and colour may be damaged by intense light or heat, pollution, acidity from cosmetics and perspiration. We do not recommend wearing pearls in swimming pools or saunas as heat, chlorine and other chemicals can damage the pearl or its setting.

In general, there're 7 factors that affect the pearl value: shape, size, colour, lustre, surface quality, nacre quality and matching.

Pearl Lustre

Lustre is the most important of all the value factors when considering the beauty of a pearl. Lustre is more than a combination of surface brilliance and a deep glow.

The value of a pearl can vary dramatically depending on many factors, such as pearl type, size, color, surface quality, and more. A wild pearl will be worth more than a cultured pearl. So, how much are pearls worth? To keep it short, on average, a pearl's value ranges from $300 to $1500.

Though classified as a gemstone, pearls are extremely unique, largely due to the fact that they are the only gem material formed and found within a living creature. Unlike diamonds, rubies, emeralds and more, pearls require no cutting or polishing before use and are simply stunning the way they naturally form.

The value of a pearl can vary dramatically depending on many factors, such as pearl type, size, color, surface quality, and more. A wild pearl will be worth more than a cultured pearl. So, how much are pearls worth? To keep it short, on average, a pearl's value ranges from $300 to $1500.

Pearls are also believed to signify innocence and faith. Practitioners use pearls to enhance personal integrity, bring truth forward, grow sincerity, inhibit immodest behavior and advance in wisdom.