Pearls

SHAPE

At the Jeweller’s Workshop we are proud to carry a large range of the world’s most beautiful pearls. As we source all of our pearls directly from farms we are able to supply them to the public at unbeatable prices.

From the black pearls of Tahiti and the Cook Islands to the white south sea pearls of Australia’s northwest coast line, we have them all, to suit any budget.

BODYCOLOR

Black pearls are known for their iridescent, vibrant almost metallic colours, unique among saltwater cultured peals. Though commonly called "Tahitian" pearls, Black pearls are actually grey to lighter or darker degrees. But, in addition, Black pearls have the unique ability to display a variety of colours at the same time, shimmering about their surfaces in varying shades - colours such as Peacock and Green.

The most highly prized Black pearls are those of the iridescent Peacock, Green and Blue colours, followed by dark black, greys and eggplant. The colour which still commands top value is black green. When comparing a black green strand to a peacock or green strand, be prepared to pay up to twice as much for the peacock and green peals! It is for this reason that the black green is the standard black pearl colour that American Pearl sells. Other colours are available for a premium.

QUALITY

Pearl farmers and pearl dealers often trade pearls amongst themselves. It is this trade that brought forth a standard and definitive pearl grading system for Black South Sea Pearls. This grading system follows the A Quality nomenclature. Please note this system is unlike the Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearl Grading System of AAA, AA, A+ and A that you might have learned about. Each grading system is unique to its own species of pearls. "A Quality" pearls are the most valuable with D Quality the least valuable.

Please see below for exact dimensions:

• A Quality - A pearl of superior quality comprising no surface defects or at the most some impairments that are confined to less than 10% of its surface.
• B Quality - A pearl exhibiting a good luster with some defects visible to the naked eye and distributed over less than one third of the surface.
• C Quality - A peal showing several visible defects, distributed over more than one third and less than two thirds of the surface and exhibiting an average luster.
• D Quality - A pearl showing numerous visible defects, distributed over two thirds of the surface and exhibiting poor luster.

NACRE

Nacre, or the skin of a pearl, is a calcium carbonate-based crystalline substance secreted by mollusks to form mother-of-pearl, the stuff pearls are made of Nacre secretion by a mollusk is usually a defense mechanism triggered by the intrusion of a foreign object into the body of an oyster. The foreign body is usually a mother of pearl nucleus cut from the shell of a clam. Thicker nacre pearls result in finer luster pearls, that mirror-like quality for which pearls are revered. Conchiolin that cements together the calcium crystals from an oyster's outer shell, or periostracum, is formed. Conchiolin also serves as the adhesive for aragonite platelets joining into layers of nacre.