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Pearl Shape
The most coveted shape for a pearl is round -- perfectly round. And, as perfectly round pearls are as rare as totally unblemished ones, those that do exist command exorbitant prices.
Usually, one finds pearls ranging from "all round" to "mostly round." With Tahitian pearls, which are extremely rare and expensive when discovered in perfectly round form, the industry standard for the average Tahitian pearl is termed, "slightly off round."
Other shapes, of course, are valued. The drop pearl is particularly prized because its shape adapts naturally to earrings and pendants.
Baroque pearls, whose shapes are symmetrical rather than round, can sometimes be amazingly lustrous and gorgeous.
Maybe pearls look like half of a round pearl, and usually are mounted within a setting and a backing.
Other, more asymmetrical shapes that enjoy a vogue among pearl lovers are oblong, pear-shaped and teardrop pearls.
Shape as well as size is an important factor when professionals string pearls. The goal is to match pearls in terms of size, color, luster, and surface marks to create a strand of pearls as uniform to the eye as possible.
Pearl Surface Quality
Though all pearls are unique, each one usually has small imperfections on its surface described in the industry as blisters, spots or indentations.
As a pearl is produced it can develop these marks, and surface quality is judged by the number of those flaws visible on the outside of the pearl. A pearl with fewer surface markings is more rare and hence more valuable. However, like diamonds, pearls are rarely flawless.
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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Pearl Shape and Quality