Carlsbad, California – The Gemological Institute of America announced that it will add a new comment to its pearl reports, using the trade term “Hanadama” for cultured Akoya pearls that fall within a select quality range.
To be designated Hanadama, GIA said cultured Akoya pearls must exhibit a combination of all of the following characteristics: round to near-round shape; white body colour with or without an overtone; excellent luster; clean to slightly spotted surface; excellent to very good matching; and sufficient nacre thickness and quality.
When a pearl, string or piece of jewellery meets the parameters for Hanadama, GIA will add a comment to the report stating, “These pearls fall within the select quality range known in the trade as ‘Hanadama’.
“We conducted extensive research into the original and contemporary applications of the term ‘Hanadama’ and gathered extensive input from industry insiders,” said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
“The inclusion of this historically important industry term in the report underscores our commitment to providing robust laboratory services and reports that enable consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing Akoya cultured pearls.”
GIA has been involved in the identification and classification of natural and cultured pearls since 1949, according to its website.
Over the years, the laboratory has helped revise the US Federal Trade Commission’s Pearl Guidelines for the jewellery industry and is responsible for working with major pearl companies worldwide to develop comprehensive standards for describing pearls.
Today, GIA uses seven criteria to classify and describe pearl quality. They are: size, shape, colour, nacre, luster, surface and matching.
