Hi Josh
How is that for a provocative title?
As for Daniele's comments on a standardization- let's take the opportunity to comment that Tahiti's governmental arrogance in destroying pearls that do not meet their standards is not helping anyone.
If pearls are found to be substandard, many if not most, can still be sold, they should just be labeled and priced accordingly. I don't believe the Chinese will ever destroy their less perfect pearls- they just go to schlock sellers.