While most pearls are not graded officially, the Tahitian government grades their famous black pearls, and does not allow certain pearls to be sold off the island of Tahiti. When buying Tahitian black pearls, look for grades A, B, C, and D. Pearls that are lower than grade D can only be sold in Tahiti. These black pearl grades rely specifically on surface quality. Type A pearls have only a few minor surface blemishes, while D grades may have light to deep imperfections on their exterior, and those may cover up to half of the pearl's exterior. Many black pearls are rated on luster with the AAA grading policy applied to other saltwater cultured pearls.

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