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The Perfect Pearls
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Pearl Studio

Build a pearl. Change its bodycolor, overtone, luster, orient, shape, size and surface, and see it described in GIA's terms, with the pearl types that naturally look like it.

Round white pearl
Move your pointer over the pearl to turn the light.

Start from a type
Bodycolor
Overtone
Shape

In GIA's words

Pearls that naturally look like this

What the controls mean

Size

For round and near-round pearls, the diameter in millimeters. Other shapes are measured by length and width.

Shape

Seven basic shapes in three groups: spherical (round, near-round), symmetrical (button, drop, oval) and asymmetrical (semi-baroque, baroque). Spherical pearls are the most valued, and symmetrical drops are also sought after.

Color

Three parts: bodycolor (the dominant overall color), overtone (translucent colors lying over the bodycolor) and orient (iridescent rainbow colors shimmering on or just below the surface).

Luster

The intensity of light reflected from the surface. GIA grades it from Excellent to Poor.

Surface

Blemishes and irregularities confined to the surface. GIA uses Clean, Lightly Spotted, Moderately Spotted and Heavily Spotted.

The pearls here are drawings that show how each factor changes a pearl's look. Real pearls change with the light, and screens vary. Facts from GIA: Pearl quality 101, how GIA examines and classifies pearls and GIA: Differences between pearl types.

Next: check a real pearl with the quality checker, or play Guess the Pearl.