Pearl Grading Scorecard
Score a pearl or strand on the qualities that graders actually judge — and get a weighted result and a letter grade to compare pearls side by side.
Grade
Grades run C → B → A → AA → AAA as the weighted score rises, with luster weighted most heavily. This is a structured self-assessment to compare pearls side by side, not a lab certificate — grading standards vary by seller and pearl type.
The qualities that make a grade
Pearl grading isn’t a single number handed down by a lab — it’s a judgement across several qualities, and knowing which ones matter most is half the skill of buying well. Luster leads, because it’s what makes a pearl look alive; then surface cleanliness and nacre thickness, which speak to durability as much as looks; then shape and colour; and, across a strand, how convincingly the pearls match. This scorecard weights each the way graders do and rolls them into one comparable figure.
Rate two pearls the same way and the scores tell you which is genuinely better — not just which the seller called AAA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are pearls graded?
Every major system weighs the same qualities: luster (the sharpness and brightness of reflections), surface cleanliness, shape, nacre thickness, colour, and — for a strand — how well the pearls match. Luster carries the most weight; a pearl with mirror-like luster forgives minor blemishes, while dull luster can't be graded up.
What do the AAA–A grades mean?
AAA is the top consumer grade — near-flawless with excellent luster; AA is very good with minor imperfections; A is entry level with visible flaws or lower luster. Some sellers use A–D or a 1–5 scale instead. This scorecard maps a weighted score to an A / AA / AAA band so you can compare pearls on a level footing.
Is this the same as a lab certificate?
No. It's a structured self-assessment to help you judge and compare pearls consistently, not an independent certification. Grading standards aren't uniform across sellers or pearl types, so use the score to compare like with like rather than as an official grade.
Why is luster weighted most heavily?
Because it's what gives a pearl life. Luster is the depth and sharpness of the light it returns, and it's the quality buyers respond to first. A large, round, clean pearl with weak luster looks lifeless, so every grading system leans on luster more than any other factor — and so does this scorecard.
A structured self-assessment for comparing pearls, not an independent certification. Grading standards vary by seller and pearl type — for a significant purchase, ask for the seller’s grading basis and, where warranted, an independent report.