Shape of South Sea pearls

The shape of a pearl is the first characteristic on which it graded during the sorting process after harvesting. This precedes differentiation on any other basis. Common terms used to define the shapes of pearls are:

1. Round shape: perfectly spherical or almost perfectly spherical pearls.

2. Semi round shape: almost spherical but with some deviation.

3. Oval shape: elliptical shape, elongated in the centre with rounded ends.

4. Tear drop shape: elongated and pointed shape to one end of the pearl, becoming rounded at the other. Also known as pear-shaped pearl.

5. Button shape: oblate spherical, which is to say spherical with flattened side or two opposing flattened sides.

6. Circle shape: pearls that have fine concentric grooves running around them.

7. Semi baroque: pearls that are asymmetric.

8. Baroque shape: irregularly shaped pearls.

9. Keshi shape: are formed unintentionally when a nucleus is rejected by an oyster but the insterted mantle tissue continues the cycle to form a pearl sac, and the cells of the pearl sac produce nacreous secretions, filling the pearl sac to produce non nucleated pearl.