In order to allow you to fully understand the different qualities of pearls offered to you in our Jll Pearl collection, we wanted to summarize the standards currently held by professionals in the jewelry industry.
In this matter, the qualifiers must be precise to be understood by everyone.

This technical page aims to enlighten you on all these details which allow you to define and classify the pearls among themselves.

First of all, it is good to remember that pearls are never absolutely perfect because the pearl is a gem made by a mollusk, a living being with all its qualities and imperfections.

However, several criteria of beauty and value must be specified so that the jewelry you are going to acquire brings you satisfaction and pleasure for many years.

One last clarification, the Jll Pearl collection is essentially made with freshwater cultured pearls. Very exceptionally with Tahitian pearls.

In any case, the jewel will be delivered to you with a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.


Grading of freshwater cultured pearls:

The immense popularity of freshwater cultured pearls is due to the variety of shapes and colors that cover a complete range. This grading scale concerns freshwater pearls which are almost round to round in shape, the round pearl is considered the most valuable and rarest of freshwater pearls.


AAA quality freshwater pearls:

• Top quality freshwater pearls
• Excellent luster
• Pearls with a very round appearance.
• The surface is clean on 95% of the surface or more
• Only 1% of freshwater pearls produced today
• Excellent tonal match between beads

AA+ quality freshwater pearls:

• Top quality freshwater pearls.
• Almost round beads, the beads appear perfectly round from a meter away.
• Bead surface is 90% clean or better
• 5% of freshwater pearls produced today
• Excellent tonal match between beads

AA Grade Freshwater Pearls:

• Medium luster pearls
• Almost round to slightly oval beads.
• Pearls with a clean surface, less than 20% of the surface has small defects.
• Only 10% of freshwater pearls produced today
• Good to average tonal match between beads


Grade A Freshwater Pearls:

• Medium to low pearl luster
• Almost round to oval shaped beads.
• Pearls with a moderately clean surface, 30% of the surface has small defects.
• Only 20% of freshwater pearls produced today
• Good to average tonal match between beads

Low quality freshwater pearls:

• Pearl luster low to no luster.
• Oval shaped beads.
• Numerous surface defects.


The luster of a pearl is the measure of the quantity and quality of light that is reflected from the surface of a pearl or just below the surface of a pearl. The luster of a pearl
good quality is sharp and bright.
You should almost be able to see your reflection on the surface of a pearl.
A pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky is of low quality.