The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will now include the historical trade term “Hanadama” in its pearl classification reports to distinguish a quality range of cultured Akoya pearls.

Following a comprehensive analysis of how the industry classifies Akoya pearls, GIA has identified a quality range commonly known within the trade as Hanadama. 

According to GIA, to obtain a Hanadama comment, cultured Akoya pearls must display a combination of all of the following GIA Pearl Value Factors classification ranges: Round to near-round shape, white body-colour (with or without overtone), excellent lustre, clean to lightly spotted surface, excellent to very good matching, and sufficient nacre thickness and quality.

These criteria are based on the GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors™ of size, shape, colour, nacre, lustre, surface and matching.

When a pearl, strand or jewellery piece meets the carefully defined parameters for Hanadama, a comment that states, “These pearls fall into the select quality range that is known in the trade as 'Hanadama' (or a variation thereof)," will be added to any GIA pearl classification report.

“Incorporating this historically important industry term into the report underpins our commitment to robust laboratory services and reports that allow consumers to make more informed choices in purchasing Akoya cultured pearls,” said Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer of GIA.