Quality of Materials-Painting, Pots and Pearls
Pigments used in painting and drawing are as permanant and light fast as is currently available. All work is considered archival and should be framed and stored in an archival manner.
Ceramic items are all handmade and most are food safe. Most have also been displayed in professional exhibitions in non-profit galleries or museums.
In jewelry I work mainly in pearls and fine gems in 14kt gold settings. There is no universal agreement on pearl grading. The following grading for pearls is generally accepted in the industry:
AAA: The highest-quality pearl, virtually flawless. The surface will have a high luster and at least 95% of the surface will be free from any type of defect.
AA: The surface will have a very high luster and at least 75% of the surface will be free from any type of defect
A: This is the lowest jewelry-grade pearl, with lower luster and/or more than 25% of the surface showing defects
Shape-
Spherical: round or near round
Symmetrical: pearls that look the same on each side if you divided them in half
Baroque: irregularly shaped
GIA pearl color classification characteristics-
Body Color: the dominant overall color of a pearl
Overtone: One or more translucent colors that appear over a pearl's body color
Orient: Iridescent, rainbow colors shimmering on or just below a pearl's surface
Luster-
This is the most important quality in evaluating the beauty of a pearl. The iridescence, the life of the pearl, the shimmer, glow, and luminosity of the pearl all come together here. Luster is closely related to orient.
Excellent: reflections are bright and pinpoint sharp
Good: reflections are bright but not as sharp, slightly matte finish
Fair: reflections are hazy and blurred
Poor: reflections are diffused and appear chalky and dull
Surface Quality-
Clean: virtually blemish free
Lightly Blemished: minor surface irregularities
Moderately Blemished: noticeable surface irregularities
Heavily Blemished: obvious surface irregularities
Grading systems for gems vary according to their use. Gems that are used for beads are usually of lower quality than gems used in rings, earrings, etc.
