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Gubelin Gem Lab in Lucerne, Switzerland is launching a grading system for South Sea cultured pearls by the end of the year, with Asia being the first and major destination.
"We have realised for quite some time that end-consumers and the trade need and would like to have a grading system for cultured pearls, especially South Sea pearls," said Gubelin's managing director, Dr Daniel Nyfeler. "We aim to introduce the service in Asia, which is important for the production and trading of South Sea pearls. We hope to develop a grading facility in Asia."
The pearls - no matter whether loose pearls, pearl strands or mounted pearl jewellery - will be graded according to their colours, consisting of the main hue and the overtone, lustre, nacre thickness, shape and size, noted Dr Nyfeler. Developed in cooperation with major South Sea pearl supplier The Autore Group in Australia, Gubelin's pearl grading system "will be based fundamentally" on Autore's classification guide for South Sea pearls, he added.
Although Autore is very much involved in the development of the system, Gubelin will have to treat the company in the same way as other clients, he stressed, adding that some major pearl producers and wholesalers had already told him that they wanted to use the Gubelin system.
"We are confident that the system will be good for the trade," he said. As for pearl treatments, he commented: "We are optimistic that we can find solutions to providing consumers with the transparency they need and formulating it in a positive manner."
The Swiss lab plans to extend the system to Tahitian pearls and akoya pearls, but has yet to decide if it will grade Chinese freshwater pearls.
Gubelin Gem Lab in Lucerne, Switzerland is launching a grading system for South Sea cultured pearls by the end of the year, with Asia being the first and major destination.
"We have realised for quite some time that end-consumers and the trade need and would like to have a grading system for cultured pearls, especially South Sea pearls," said Gubelin's managing director, Dr Daniel Nyfeler. "We aim to introduce the service in Asia, which is important for the production and trading of South Sea pearls. We hope to develop a grading facility in Asia."
The pearls - no matter whether loose pearls, pearl strands or mounted pearl jewellery - will be graded according to their colours, consisting of the main hue and the overtone, lustre, nacre thickness, shape and size, noted Dr Nyfeler. Developed in cooperation with major South Sea pearl supplier The Autore Group in Australia, Gubelin's pearl grading system "will be based fundamentally" on Autore's classification guide for South Sea pearls, he added.
Although Autore is very much involved in the development of the system, Gubelin will have to treat the company in the same way as other clients, he stressed, adding that some major pearl producers and wholesalers had already told him that they wanted to use the Gubelin system.
"We are confident that the system will be good for the trade," he said. As for pearl treatments, he commented: "We are optimistic that we can find solutions to providing consumers with the transparency they need and formulating it in a positive manner."
The Swiss lab plans to extend the system to Tahitian pearls and akoya pearls, but has yet to decide if it will grade Chinese freshwater pearls.