Pearls Grading Explained!

Understanding Pearl Grading: What It 

Really Means

There’s something timeless about pearls. They don’t shout, they glow. Whether worn casually or dressed up for an occasion, pearls carry a quiet kind of confidence—and choosing the right ones makes all the difference.

But if you’ve ever tried to buy pearls, you’ve probably come across a confusing jumble of letters: A, AA, AAA… or sometimes 4A, 5A, even 8A. What do these grades actually mean? Is a 7A pearl better than a AAA? (Spoiler: not necessarily.) Let’s break it down and dive into why Grading systems of pearls have made it more difficult to choose the right pearls, and how to choose the right pearls suited to you.

The ABCs of Pearl Grading

Most reputable jewelers—especially when it comes to cultured freshwater pearls—use the A-AAA system:

• A grade pearls are entry-level, with visible blemishes and lower shine.

• AA are better—more luster, fewer imperfections.

• AAA is considered top-tier: excellent luster, smooth surface, very few flaws.

Daily Dazzle's hand-picked AAA Freshwater Pearls, hand-crafted in 14k Gold plated 925 Sterling Silver.

At Daily Dazzle, we’ve added our own touch. Our pearls are handpicked and curated, so we’ve fine-tuned our grading to include an AA+ category—because not every pearl fits neatly into a box. Our scale runs: A, AA, AA+, AAA, with AAA being our highest standard.

What About All Those “7A” or “5A” Pearls?

Let’s be real: there’s no universal pearl grading system. That’s the catch. The moment you see “6A” or “8A” pearls, you’re most likely looking at clever marketing rather than actual quality benchmarking. One seller’s “6A” might be another’s “AA.” It’s like adding extra gold stars on a school paper—you feel good, but it’s not part of any official document.

That’s why trusting the brand becomes more important than chasing inflated grades.

Freshwater vs. Saltwater Pearls: Know the Difference

Pearls generally come in two main types: cultured freshwater pearls and cultured seawater pearls, like Akoya pearls.

Freshwater pearls (the kind we use in most Daily Dazzle designs) are grown in mussels, often in lakes or rivers. They tend to be more abundant, which doesn’t mean they’re lower in quality—but it does mean you should look for the right signs of excellence: high lustre (glowing, shiny) and minimal blemishes.

Seawater pearls like Akoya are grown in oysters, and are generally more expensive and rarer—especially non-cultivated sea pearls, which are extremely rare in today’s market and priced beyond most of our price-range.

Daily Dazzle’s Pearls: Why They Stand Out

We don’t just buy pearls in bulk. Each pearl in our The Pearl Interval Series has been hand-picked, inspected, and set by skilled artisans in 14k gold-plated sterling silver. The series features only our AA, AA+, and AAA graded pearls—because if it’s going to carry the Daily Dazzle name, it needs to live up to it.

Before The Pearl Interval series, we used ungraded pearls in stainless steel settings—beautiful ones - yes, but without the same level of hand-curated attention. With the Pearl Interval Series, we’re setting a new standard in Pearl's grading for our customers.

So, How Do You Choose the Right Pearls?

Easy. You don’t need to memorize grading charts or decode marketing gimmicks. Instead, choose a brand you trust—one that shows you exactly what you’re getting, and stands by it.

At Daily Dazzle, we believe a pearl should feel personal. That’s why every piece we release isn’t just jewelry—it’s a carefully chosen moment, captured in luster.