Hello Douglas,
This is what I saw on one of the Rakuten seller's webpage in regard to number of Akoya pearls that achieved Grandpearl or Superpearl certifications by PECCA, last updated in 2016. I have also spoken to some other sellers that handles Grandpearls and they confirm it is still around 200 certifications/year, the majority of these Grandpearls go to the Chinese market.
The process of selecting Grandpearl is more or less like a 'beauty pageant' and the judgers are Directors/Executives from major pearl companies in Japan. Judging criterias covers all aspects of the pearls but the inspection is done by visual method ONLY. It is therefore a very subjective process and leniencies were given to companies who did not 'qualified' for a few years in a row.
It is an interesting certification but I too would not pay for the tag. Hope this is something useful to be added to your 'nacre'base.
This is what I saw on one of the Rakuten seller's webpage in regard to number of Akoya pearls that achieved Grandpearl or Superpearl certifications by PECCA, last updated in 2016. I have also spoken to some other sellers that handles Grandpearls and they confirm it is still around 200 certifications/year, the majority of these Grandpearls go to the Chinese market.
The process of selecting Grandpearl is more or less like a 'beauty pageant' and the judgers are Directors/Executives from major pearl companies in Japan. Judging criterias covers all aspects of the pearls but the inspection is done by visual method ONLY. It is therefore a very subjective process and leniencies were given to companies who did not 'qualified' for a few years in a row.
It is an interesting certification but I too would not pay for the tag. Hope this is something useful to be added to your 'nacre'base.
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