Golay Pearls Quality Label

Every pearl is unique. Its special qualities, the essence of its charm and appeal are a gift of nature. In addition to their shape, colour and size, pearls have other aspects that pearl specialists have studied and compared. This has allowed Golay to define five quality criteria for Golay Pearls: type, surface, nacre, lustre and colour matching.
The stringent requirements guarantee that your Golay Pearls meet our highest standards of quality and aesthetics.

1. Type of cultured pearls

The major types of cultured pearls are South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls, Akoya pearls and Freshwater pearls.

2. Surface

Pearls are cultivated in a natural environment. Most pearls have surface irregularities showing the traces of nature. Perfectly "clean" pearls are rare. Only cultured pearls with no significant blemishes receive the Golay Pearls Quality Label.

3. Nacre

Nacre is an organic substance deposited layer upon layer by pearl oysters. The quality of nacre is defined by its thickness and layering. Only pearls with substantial nacre thickness and regular layering receive the Golay Pearls Quality Label.

4. Lustre

Lustre refers to the light reflected from the layers of nacre. The higher the light reflection is intense, the higher is the lustre. Good lustre gives a lively look to the pearls. Golay Pearls are always of good or excellent lustre.

5. Colour matching

Pearls come in a wide range of colours, from black, gray, brown, purple, blue, to golden, orange, pink, cream and white. Some have subtle overtones giving the pearls a complex hue.
As no two pearls share exactly the same shades, it requires expertise to compose strands and pairs of matching colours. Golay Pearls come in uniform colours or in harmonious combinations.