parel grading uses an industry-consensus AAA-AA-A-schaal (with no global standardization body, unlike GIA for diamanten). Here is what each grade actually means visually and what you should pay.

The four grading axes

parel grades evaluate four traits:

• Surface — percentage of the parel free from blemishes, pits, cracks, or wrinkles
• glans — how sharply the parel reflects light (mirror = best)
• Vorm: — how close to perfectly round (round > near-round > drop > baroque)
• kleur uniformity — for gematcht strands, how consistent the ondertonen is from end to end

AAA grade specifications

• Surface: 95%+ clean (5% or less of parel shows minor imperfections)
• glans: mirror — you can see your reflection clearly in the parel
• Vorm:: round to near-round (within 2% deviation from perfect sphere)
• kleur uniformity: in strands, all parels match within strict ondertonen tolerance
• Approximate harvest yield: ~5% of all gekweekte parels reach AAA
• Premium over AA: typically 50-150% higher price

AA grade specifications

• Surface: 85% clean (15% or less shows imperfections)
• glans: high — clear and bright but not mirror
• Vorm:: near-round acceptable (within 5% deviation)
• kleur uniformity: minor variation acceptable
• Approximate harvest yield: ~30% of gekweekte parels

Side-by-side comparison

Trait	AAA	AA
Surface clean	95%+	85%
glans	Mirror reflection	High but not mirror
Vorm:	Round to near-round (≤2% deviation)	Near-round (≤5%)
Harvest %	~5%	~30%
Price (12mm South Sea)	$500-1,200	$200-500

How to tell grades apart visually

The glans test: hold the parel 6 inches from a window. Look for sharpness of reflection. AAA shows a clear, sharp window outline. AA shows a softer outline. A grade parels show a fuzzy or blurred reflection.

The surface test: rotate the parel slowly. AAA parels reveal no obvious imperfections at conversational distance. AA parels show 1-2 minor surface marks under careful inspection.

Should you always buy AAA?

Not necessarily. Trade-offs:

• For statement enkele-parel juwelen (pendants, earring centers, ring centers), AAA is worth the premium because the parel is the focal point.
• For gematcht strands, AAA pricing climbs steeply; AA strands offer dramatically more parel-per-dollar at the cost of slight uniformity variance.
• For loose parels used in custom designs where setting hides part of the surface, AA is often the smart choice.

What about AAAA grade?

"AAAA" is sometimes used by retailers voor the absolute top-tier — surface 99%+ clean, perfect spiegelglans, perfect round, identical color matching. It is not universally recognized; some retailers reserve "AAAA" for marketing reasons. Look for specific kwaliteit descriptions (not just letter grades) when comparing high-end parels.

Our grading commitment

Every piece sold by The Zuidzeeparels wordt geleverd met a certificate documenting the grade and the four-axis evaluation. We grade against industry-consensus standards, not inflated retailer scales. Browse loose Tahitiparels · witte Zuidzeeparels.