How Do You Value Pearls?

January 07, 2019 0 Comments

Pearl value is determined by a meticulous formula of a variety of different factors. The perfect combination of these factors will produce the highest valued pearl on the market. And these high-value pearls can sell for a hefty price. 

There are endless factors that can have an effect on the value of a pearl. From the pearl’s origins to the pearl’s saturation, there are countless value factors to be considered when deciding a pearl’s worth. At Kyllonen Luxury, we’re experts in determining pearl value and we’ve compiled a few helpful insights for you.

Here is everything you need to know about pearl value:

What is the Value of a Pearl?

The value of a pearl, simply put, is how much a pearl is worth. As previously stated, a pearl’s value is determined by a variety of factors and when these factors perfectly align, this pearl will be worth a hefty sum.

An average pearl’s value ranges from $50 to $1500. A pearl’s value is determined by the pearl vendor. Pearl jewelry vendors like Kyllonen Luxury compare new pearls to a standard set of Gem grade, Near Gem grade, AAA, and AA+ pearls to decide grade and value. The higher the grade, the higher the value.    

Pearl Type & Pearl Value

Pearl type has a large effect on the value of a pearl. Different pearl types are rarer than others. For example, the South Sea pearl is a lot rarer than a Freshwater pearl. Therefore, South Sea pearls are valued higher. Here are the values of a single pearl based on pearl types:

  • South Sea Pearls: $170-$50,000, Average Price $400
  • Tahitian (Black) Pearls: $170-$25,000, Average Price $200
  • Akoya Pearls: $8-$2,000, Average Price $100
  • Freshwater Pearls: $1-$2,000, Average Price $50

How Else is a Pearl Jewelry Valued?

So what other factors affect pearl jewelry value? Here are the most important pearl value factors that vendors keep in mind when setting a pearl’s worth.

Pearl’s Scarcity

A huge factor in pearl value is the pearl’s origins. 95% of pearls are formed with intervention, meaning that they’re not formed naturally in the ocean. This means that if you are to come across a natural pearl from the ocean or freshwater, it’s value will be very high.

Size, Color, Shape

Size, color, and shape all have a big effect on a pearl’s value. Size is an obvious one. The bigger the pearl, the more value it holds. For example, a pair of 6mm Freshwater pearls may be valued at about $100 whereas a 10mm pair can be worth around $400.

Color can also have a large effect on the value of a pearl. Certain overtones and rich saturation will have a large effect on pearl value. Let’s take a look at Tahitian pearls. A peacock overtone in a Tahitian pearl holds an extremely high value because of its natural beauty. A peacock toned Tahitian pearl can be worth double of the more common dark black overtone Tahitian pearl.

Shape is also very straightforward. The rounder the pearl, the higher the value. That’s why imperfectly round Gem grade pearls sell for such large sums.

Pearl Luster & Surface Flaws

These two value factors have a huge impact on a pearl’s value. Pearl luster is the shininess of a pearl. Pearl’s surface flaws are the flaws that can be seen on a pearl’s surface. These can be dents, pits, or a variety of other blemishes. A pearl with excellent luster will have an extremely high value. This is because a pearl with excellent luster can be seen shimmering across the room. If a pearl has surface flaws it will be lower in value. The higher the number of imperfections the lower the value.

Overall, those are the most important factors that pearl value takes into account. If a pearl is the perfect combination of all of these factors, then it will have extremely high value. High-value pearls can cost a fortune. Luckily with Kyllonen Luxury, you can purchase some of the highest quality pearls at reasonable prices.

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