‘Peacock’ colour range added to lab’s pearl grading reports

by Samantha Ashenhurst | May 9, 2023 4:43 pm

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Tahitian pearls of a certain hue will now be described as such in Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA’s) reports.

The lab has introduced a new comment for its pearl reports, employing the trade term “Peacock” for designated colous of cultured pearls from the Pinctada margaritifera (black-lipped) pearl oyster, commonly known as Tahitian pearls.

“This change comes about after a year of researching the historical and current use of the colour term ‘Peacock,’ as well as considered industry feedback,” says GIA’s executive vice-president and chief laboratory and research officer, Tom Moses.

When a pearl, strand, or other piece of jewellery meets the parameters for ‘Peacock,’ GIA will add a comment to its report, stating, in variation: “This pearl is often referred to as a ‘Tahitian’ cultured pearl in the trade, and it falls into the select colour range that is known as ‘peacock.’”

Per GIA, the general description of the range is, “a body colour with a hue that contains green, of mid-to-strong saturation and mid-to-dark tone, and with moderate or stronger overtone (usually pink, but may be other hues) or orient.”

There will be no additional fee for the change, the lab reports.

“Based on our industry findings and GIA’s mission to educate consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, adding this descriptive trade-term to report better serves consumers,” Moses says.

GIA has contributed to the identification and classification of natural and cultured pearls since 1949 and has worked with pearl companies globally to develop comprehensive standards for describing pearls (i.e. size, shape, color, nacre, lustre, surface, and matching).

For more, click here[2].

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/peacock-colour-range-added-to-labs-pearl-grading-reports/

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