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Evaluating Surface |
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This feature
refers to the degree of surface
perfection.
Finer quality nacre is very smooth, and nearly blemish-free,
however, most pearls have natural surface characteristics that serve
to identify them and act as "mother nature's" fingerprints.
The cleaner the surface, the higher luster produced, and more
valuable the pearls become. |
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Think of pearl
surface as you would your own skin. just as our own is rarely
completely free of little perfections, so it is with the pearl.
Surface perfection refers to the pearl's skin being free of such
things as small blisters, pimples, spots, or cracks. Imperfections
may also appear as dark spots, small indentations, welts or blisters,
or surface bumps. |
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While
occasional small blemishes are not very uncommon, if large or
numerous they are unsightly. A pearl with sizeable or numerous
blemishes may also be less durable. The cleaner the skin, the rarer
and costlier. If drilled, the closer the blemish to the drill hole,
the less it detracts from both appearance and value. Fine pearls have
virtually no spots, bumps, pits, circles or wrinkles. High luster
will often make tiny surface imperfections less visible and generally
compensate for these small imperfections. Also, when the pearls are
strung as a necklace or mounted on earrings, the mounting and drill
holes can do much to detract from any flaws inherent in the pearl. |
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Judging
Surface Quality |
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Examine in
several types of light: While diffuded light is normally best for
comparing factors in pearls, when checking blemishes, an intense
light may highlight certain types. When examining pearls for
blemishes, it may be helpful to check them both diffused light and an
intense bright light. Examine against a dark background: A light
background is normally best for comparing most pearl characterstics,
but when checking for blemishes, it is sometimes easier to spot them
against a dark background. Examine while rolling: Place the pearl or
pearl strand on flat surface and roll it to be sure that you have
examined all sides, and so that the light catches any blemish and
highlights it. |
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