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Pearl Inclusion

There are different types of growth characteristics, including blemish, dull spots, dull ground substance, needle-shape growth characteristics and tiny bumps, but also dull spots or spots of a lighter or darker color. The latter are usually tiny spots of conchiolin, which were deposited directly underneath the surface and the lighter depositions of aragonite, which are due to an unforeseen change in the function of the epithelium cells.

Sometimes flat spots or spots with a hammered surface can be observed, the latter are an indication of a very good nacre thickness. Pleated or shriveled spots are usually seen if the nacre is thin and tiny damages and scratches are also a clear indication.

Further surface characteristics are growth rings and circles. They are seen frequently in South Sea cultured pearls and freshwater cultured pearls. Small fractures below the surface, which stretch into the mother-of-pearl nucleus, are also considered as surface characteristics.

Growth characteristics which are immediately visible to the naked eye are graded stricter than those situated near the drill hole.

In general, South Sea cultured pearls have more surface characteristics than Akoya cultured pearls. In fact, the surface is rarely perfect, but instead has indentations, elevations, ridges, wrinkles and white spots. The spots are easier to see on the colored surface and are therefore graded more strictly in color pearls. South Sea cultured pearls often have a surface effect resembling beaten metal; it is considered an indication of a very good nacre thickness.

  • Clean: 98% --100% inclusion free, very difficult to recognize the growth characteristics with naked eye;
  • Excellent: Slight growth characteristics, 95% inclusion free at least, 5% difficult to recognize with the naked eye;
  • Very good: No more than 10% slight needle –shaped growth characteristics, 90% inclusion free, recognizable with the naked eye;
  • Good: No more than 25% growth characteristics, more than 75% inclusion free, easy to recognize with the naked eye;
  • Medium: More than 25% very distinct growth characteristics and quickly recognized with the naked eye.