The classification of Akoya pearls.

The most important thing and the first thing to understand about the classification of pearls is that, unlike diamonds, there is no standardized system. Each brand or company creates its own subjective system. So you should not take it into account to compare pearls from different companies.

This is the system that we use at Secret & You to grade our Akoya pearls:

S&Y Signature

The pearls that we categorize as S&Y Signature, are exceptional pearls, these pearls are usually sold in the wholesale market, loose, or in pairs and without drilling. They are generally reserved for creating earrings, pendants or rings, but can also be used to create a pearl necklace of exceptional quality.

• They show a very intense shine.
• It shows an excellent, almost mirror-like reflection.
• Its shape is completely round
• Surface clean of imperfections.
• thick nacre
• Excellent match.

AAA

• The shine is excellent, intense and reflective.
• It shows a very defined reflection.
• The shape is round.
• 98% clean surface.
• The mother-of-pearl is visibly thick.
• Excellent match.

AA +

• The shine is very intense.
• Shows a defined reflection.
• the shape is round
• 90-95% clean surface, they may have some small inconspicuous imperfection or in an inconspicuous area.
• The thickness of the mother-of-pearl is visibly thick.
• Matched between very good and excellent.

AA

• The shine is between intense and good.
• Shows a good reflex.
• the shape is round
• 80-90% clean surface, they may have some small inconspicuous imperfection or in an inconspicuous area.
• The thickness of the mother-of-pearl is medium.
• Paired very good.

A

• Medium to Low Gloss
• Shows a reflection between good and faded.
• The shape is between semi round.
• Clean surface on more than 60% of the surface.
• The thickness of the mother-of-pearl is fine.
• Paired good to medium.

Lastly, we want to clarify that these criteria are not completely static, in the event that some pearls stand out especially in one of the factors, they can be graduated up or down. For example, a pearl that has a small blemish but shows exceptional luster may be graded AAA, even though pearls in this category generally have a clean surface.

En Secret & You we consider the brightness, the most important quality of pearls, so it determines a lot the grade assigned.