Pearls: What to Record

Identification

Species Text Gemstones & pearls

Mineral species as approved by the IMA (main species first), or the material for pearls and organic gems, e.g. Quartz, Corundum, Beryl.

Variety Text Gemstones & pearls

Variety or trade name, e.g. Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Rose quartz.

Carat weight (ct) Number Gemstones & pearls

Weight in carats (1 ct = 0.2 g); for several stones the total weight.

Shape / cut Choice Gemstones & pearls

Shape and cutting style.

18 choices

• Round brilliant
• Oval
• Cushion
• Emerald / step cut
• Princess
• Pear
• Marquise
• Heart
• Radiant
• Asscher
• Baguette
• Trillion
• Cabochon
• Rose cut
• Old mine / old European cut
• Briolette
• Fancy / freeform
• Rough / uncut

Colour Text Gemstones & pearls

Colour or colours as seen in daylight, main colour first.

Gem treatment Choice Gemstones & pearls

Enhancement reported by a laboratory or the seller.

• None detected
• Heating
• Oil / resin filling
• Fracture / glass filling
• Diffusion
• Irradiation
• Dyeing
• Coating
• HPHT treatment
• Unknown

Geographic origin Text Gemstones & pearls

Country or deposit of origin as reported by a laboratory, e.g. Burma (Myanmar), Colombia, Kashmir.

Measurements

Length (mm) Number Gemstones & pearls

Greatest length.

Width (mm) Number Gemstones & pearls

Width, measured from the front.

Depth (mm) Number Gemstones & pearls

Depth, measured from front to back.

Condition

Condition notes Text Gemstones & pearls

Faults, wear and damage in detail.

Certificate / expertise Text Gemstones & pearls

Certificates of authenticity or expert opinions, with issuer, date and number.

Acquisition

How and when the object came into the collection.

Acquisition date Date Gemstones & pearls

Date the object came into the collection.

Acquisition method Choice, or your own Gemstones & pearls

How the object came into the collection.

• Purchase
• Auction
• Gift
• Inheritance
• Exchange / trade
• Self-collected / found
• Commission

Acquired from Text Gemstones & pearls

Seller, auction house (with sale and lot number), donor or place where it was found.

Purchase price Amount Gemstones & pearls

Price paid including fees and premiums.

Provenance Text Gemstones & pearls

Earlier owners and the object's history, oldest first, with sources (labels, invoices, sale catalogues).

Value

Estimated and insured value.

Estimated value Amount Gemstones & pearls

Current market value as estimated.

Valuation date Date Gemstones & pearls

Date of the current value estimate.

Valuation basis Choice Gemstones & pearls

What the estimated value is based on.

• Own estimate
• Recent sales / auction results
• Dealer offer
• Catalogue value
• Professional appraisal
• Insurance valuation

Insured value Amount Gemstones & pearls

Sum the object is insured for.

Collection record

Your own inventory data.

Inventory number Text Gemstones & pearls

Your own number or label for the object, e.g. C-0042, as written on its label or album page.

Storage location Text Gemstones & pearls

Where the object is kept, e.g. room, cabinet, drawer, album and page, box.

Grading

Pearl type Choice, or your own

Origin of the pearl.

• Natural (saltwater)
• Natural (freshwater)
• Cultured Akoya
• Cultured South Sea
• Cultured Tahitian
• Cultured freshwater
• Keshi
• Imitation

Pearl size (mm) Number

Diameter (or size range for strands).

Pearl shape Choice

Shape of the pearl.

• Round
• Near-round
• Oval
• Button
• Drop
• Semi-baroque
• Baroque
• Circled

Lustre Choice

Sharpness and brightness of reflections on the pearl surface.

• Excellent
• Very good
• Good
• Fair
• Poor