Anthony The Pearl Guy

During a recent visit to GIA New York, I had the opportunity to tour the Pearl Grading Lab and spend time in conversation with two of the most respected experts in the field: Chunhui Zhou, Senior Manager of Pearl Identification at GIA, and Akira Hyatt, Senior Staff Gemologist at GIA.

What stood out immediately was not just the depth of technical knowledge, but the shared philosophy behind the work being done inside the lab—one centered on consistency, integrity, and protecting confidence in pearls at every level of the industry.

Inside the Pearl Grading Lab

Touring the lab, it becomes clear that this is not a space driven by trends or shortcuts. Every detail—from lighting conditions to grading protocols—is designed to eliminate variables. Pearls are assessed methodically, with each quality factor considered independently before being evaluated as a whole.

Chunhui Zhou emphasized how critical consistency is in pearl identification and grading. The goal is not to make pearls fit a narrative, but to ensure they are represented accurately and responsibly. That discipline is what allows pearls to be traded, sold, and trusted globally.

Akira Hyatt reinforced how much pearl grading relies on trained human observation. While tools and reference materials support the process, pearls ultimately demand experience, calibration, and peer review. This human element is what allows GIA standards to remain relevant even as the market evolves.

Conversations That Matter

What made this visit especially valuable was the dialogue—not just about grading, but about how information travels from the lab to the retail showcase. We discussed how easily pearl quality can be misunderstood when education is missing, and how clear standards help retailers communicate value without overwhelming the client.

Both Chunhui and Akira stressed that pearls reward careful explanation. When retailers understand why one pearl outperforms another—and can explain that difference clearly—clients respond with trust rather than hesitation.

Master Pearl Sets and a Shared Language

One of the most insightful parts of my conversation at GIA New York was learning more about how master pearl sets are used inside the lab. These reference pearls serve as calibrated benchmarks for the 7 Pearl Quality Factors, allowing graders to evaluate pearls against established standards rather than subjective opinion.

Master sets ensure that a pearl graded today is evaluated the same way it would have been years ago—or will be years from now. Just as importantly, they create consistency between GIA gemologists and GIA laboratories across the world, aligning evaluations regardless of location.

Just as important as the master sets themselves is how GIA approaches language. Pearl grading at GIA is built around clear, accessible terminology designed to describe quality accurately without unnecessary complexity.

GIA’s use of master pearl sets paired with straightforward language ensures that these factors remain consistent, teachable, and transferable—from the lab, to the sales floor, to the client.

Industry Expertise in Action

The Mastoloni family, long-standing leaders in cultured pearls, also played an important role during the launch of GIA’s pearls curriculum by lending their expertise and validating its real-world relevance. Their support helped ensure that the course not only reflected strict lab standards but also aligned with what retailers and educators need to communicate clearly about pearls. This kind of industry insight bridges the gap between technical grading and practical, client-facing education, reinforcing the same principles Chunhui Zhou and Akira Hyatt highlighted during my visit.

Why This Visit Matters

Spending time with leaders like Chunhui Zhou and Akira Hyatt is a reminder that pearl grading is not static—it is a living standard, upheld by people who care deeply about accuracy and trust.

These conversations shape how I think about pearls long after leaving the lab, and they directly inform how I support retailers in presenting pearls correctly and confidently.

If you’re ready to elevate how pearls are understood and sold in your store, let’s talk. Whether it’s pearl education, grading insight, or refining your pearl assortment, I work directly with retailers to turn knowledge into confident sales and long-term clients.