CLASSIFICATION

The Surface Quality & Category Top Gem

This is determined by observing the special features of the pearls surface and its lustre. Surface feature is measured according to the importance of the surface, smooth and without imperfection. Also some imperfections can be seen on the surface of the pearl, such as: punctures, streaks, stripes, cracks, holes, organic deposits, calcite deposits or devitalised areas; are considered to be any flaw in the nacre that is visible to the naked eye such as pits, bumps, scratches, deposits, ridges and cracks. Lustre is evaluated according to the reflection of the light on the pearlʼ’s surface. The brighter is the reflection, the higher is the lustre. Hence, a good lustre corresponds to a total reflection of the light, creating a mirror effect. A pearl without lustre corresponds to a dull aspect of its surface. A Top gem pearl, is one with a high lustre, and a flawless surface. When harvesting pearls, the pearl farmer performs an initial sorting of this crop, discarding all the rejects. He then performs a more detailed separation of his crop sorting out pearls by size, shape and category. The Tahitian Pearls, also known as Queen of Pearls are considered one of the most precious and exquisite gems in the world. Though described as ‘black’, Tahitian pearls possess a spectrum of stunning colours ranging from peacock green, deep blue, grey, copper, aubergine and in exceptional cases, white. These pearls are cultured in the pristine warm lagoons of French Polynesia in South Pacific. Every pearl is unique and it takes a large number of oysters to produce a small selection of the finest quality. A single string of pearls requires thousands of individual pearls to be carefully scrutinized for shape, size, colour and luster in order to create a necklace such as this presented. The Tahitian Pearls are indeed the rarest and most valuable pieces of jewelry that add to the charm, dignity and sophistication on the privileged lady wearing them. The Tahiti Cultured Pearl consists of thick pearly layers containing organic substances and calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite. Most commonly, these layers are referred to as nacre. They are best known for their diversity of size, shape, quality and many shades of natural colours, ranging from pale grey to anthracite black. The trade designation “Tahiti Cultured Pearl” is reserved exclusively for cultured pearls obtained from the Pinctada margaritifera pearl oyster, cumingii variety, found in French Polynesia. Such pearls must exhibit a continuous pearly layer over at least 80 % of the pearl surface and cannot reveal the underlying nucleus. The remaining surface of the nucleus, that is at most 20 %, is made out of a natural substance secreted by the Pinctada margaritifera pearl oyster, cumingii variety, such as calcite or an organic material.

By definition, this pearl is entire. Its pearl layer has a sufficient thickness, which does not make the nucleus appear, even by transparency. Since 1st July 2002, the legal thickness of the nacre layer between the nucleus and the external surface must be at least 0,8 mm thick. Any pearls that do not satisfy these criteria may not be called a “Tahiti Cultured Pearl” and will be deemed as reject. A reject, even produced in French Polynesia by the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera var. cumingii is:

- a cultured pearl presenting either calcite layers, or organic layers, or both, on more than20% of its surface; - a cultured pearl presenting devitalised areas visible on more than 20% of its surface; - a pearl that does not present the regulate thickness; - a pearls whose nucleus is visible to the naked eye. Both commercialisation and exportation of rejects are prohibited in French Polynesia.