There is no universal grading system for pearls. One company’s AAA is not necessarily the same as another company’s AAA.

A grade only has meaning inside the system that created it. Without knowing how the individual value factors were evaluated, a grade alone does not tell the full story.

Two pearls may both be called AAA, but one may have stronger luster, while the other may have a cleaner surface. One may have rare color but a less desirable shape. Another may be larger but have weaker nacre quality.

A pearl grade is shorthand. It is not a universal measurement of quality. Grades can be useful, but only when the standards behind them are clearly explained.

Grading Systems: Side-by-Side Comparison

The comparison below shows three major South Sea pearl grading systems side by side. This is one example of a broader industry reality: pearl grading systems are company-specific.

Notice that luster, surface, color, shape, nacre structure, and overall grade are not described the same way across systems.