| This is a tough question to answer, really. I have come back to this one over the last couple of days thinking about it. But there are so many delineating factors, a straight answer seems impossible to me.
First, if you are referring to peacock, and the peacock is only visible in certain light... it is still peacock, is it not? The same would go for orient. If you look at a Tahitian pearl with intense peacock and/or intense orient, but you are examining it in direct sunlight, it will appear to be totally black. But if you examine it in diffused natural light, the colors will jump in the pearl.
I think the question you are coming up with is the intensity or degree of coloration of the pearls. A Tahitian pearl may be perfectly round with a perfectly clean surface, but have a medium luster and no orient... how can it then be gem... it cannot! But a clean Tahitian with sharp luster and no orient and no peacock (a solid green, for example), could still be considered gem.
I think the question is impossible to answer simple because Tahitian pearls exhibit every color under the rainbow. Although peacock is supposedly the most sought color, it does not work for everyone. Some prefer the color intense, others prefer a specific, unchanging color. Some may prefer something in between. But a cross between a peacock pearl and a green or a silver or black would still have peacock coloration. It sounds as though your earrings are very good, but do not quite exhibit your anticipated coloration. If that is the case, it is not grade, it is preference.
The picture you attached showcases a pearl with great color but poor shape. The shape is not symmetrical, and the drilling appears to be slightly off. What grade would it be? Great color! Poor shape (no symmetry which is apparent in all other shapes), poor drilling. It would score low on a technical scale, but it is a beautiful piece! So it would likely sell for more than a piece of "okay" color with perfect symmetry and workmanship. The color is also fantastic, it is an amazingly wearable piece.
I know this response seems to ramble a bit. But it mimics my thought process around the question. I think this thread could continue a hundred fold with so many different opinions. But as we are discussing pearls - the qualities, colors, and overtones - opinions they are. |