Skin and Lustre This area does require detailed inspection and is an important area contributing to the pearl's overall value. When the Jeweler knows what to look for the task is not as daunting as it seems. Pearls are formed as the oyster surrounds the irritant with a translucent coating known as nacre.

Matching
Most pearls are sold in strands, and this is a case where the final product is greater than the sum of its part. If one or several of the pearls in a strand are off-color or are of a different quality level, the appearance and value of the strand decrease considerably. Uniform size is also important. Many necklaces are graduated, so it is important to inspect the sizing to ensure the pearls decrease in size evenly.