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Emphasis on proper lighting when viewing gems has not been restricted to modern-day times. In 1908, in The Book of the Pearl, Kunz and Stevenson wrote:
At great receptions, large and apparently magnificent pearls are frequently seen, which are really of inferior quality, and yet owing to the absence of pure daylight, they can easily be mistaken for perfect specimens by any one not especially familiar with pearls. Indeed, if the royalties of Europe should wear all the pearls belonging to the crown jewels at the same time, in a palace or hall lighted with candles, gas, or even with some types of electric light, they would seem to have a quality which many of them do not and never did possess. It is,
At great receptions, large and apparently magnificent pearls are frequently seen, which are really of inferior quality, and yet owing to the absence of pure daylight, they can easily be mistaken for perfect specimens by any one not especially familiar with pearls. Indeed, if the royalties of Europe should wear all the pearls belonging to the crown jewels at the same time, in a palace or hall lighted with candles, gas, or even with some types of electric light, they would seem to have a quality which many of them do not and never did possess. It is,
Type of Lighting |
Effect of Lighting on Pearl Color |
Sunlight |
Depends on the time of day, season of the year, and geographic location. At midday it normally has a neutral effect on the hue. Earlier and later in the day, it adds red, orange or yellow, so the pearls may look pinker or yellower. |
Incandescent light bulbs, halogen spotlights and candleight |
Add red. Pearls may look pinker or more yellowish. |
Fluorescent lights |
Depends on what type they are. Most intensify blue colors. Warm white tubes add yellow. |
Light under an overcast sky or in the shade |
Adds blue and gray, so pearls may look grayish or a bit bluish |
• Consider how evenly distributed the color is on the pearl(s), especially if it's one major pearl on a ring or pendant. A uniform color is more highly valued than a blotchy one.
• If you are trying to decide between white and pink pearls of the same quality but the pink pearls cost more. Look in a few of the drill holes with a 10-power magnifier.
• If you are trying to decide between white and pink pearls of the same quality but the pink pearls cost more. Look in a few of the drill holes with a 10-power magnifier.
If you can see red or pink stains on the nacre layer or a pink line between the nacre and the nucleus, they are dyed. Seeing positive indications of dye may influence your decision. By the way, even if you don't see evidence of dye, the pearls may still be dyed.
• Make sure you're alert and feel good when you examine pearls. If you're tired, sick or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your perception of color will be impaired.
How Lighting Affect Pearl Color
Just as luster is affected by lighting, so is color, but in a different way. If you were to take a photograph indoors under a light bulb with daylight film, the picture would be orangy or yellowish. If you took it under fluorescent light, the picture would look greenish. Even though, unlike cameras, your eyes can adjust to changes of color from lighting, you're still influenced by them. Consequently, your perception of pearl color will depend on the lighting under which the pearls are viewed.
The whitest, most neutral light is at midday. Besides adding the least amount of color, this light makes it easier to see various nuances of color. Consequently, you should judge pearl color under a daylight-equivalent light. Neutral fluorescent bulbs approximate this ideal, but some of these lights are better than others. Three that are recommended are the Duro-Test Vita light, GE Chroma 50 or Sylvania Design 50. This light, however, is not as effective as true sunlight for seeing detail. For example, it's normally easier to read very fine print in sunlight than in artificial light. The intensity of the light from the sun has a lot to do with this.
When you shop for pearls, your choice of lighting will probably be limited. Use the information below to help you compensate for improper lighting.
• Make sure you're alert and feel good when you examine pearls. If you're tired, sick or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your perception of color will be impaired.
How Lighting Affect Pearl Color
Just as luster is affected by lighting, so is color, but in a different way. If you were to take a photograph indoors under a light bulb with daylight film, the picture would be orangy or yellowish. If you took it under fluorescent light, the picture would look greenish. Even though, unlike cameras, your eyes can adjust to changes of color from lighting, you're still influenced by them. Consequently, your perception of pearl color will depend on the lighting under which the pearls are viewed.
The whitest, most neutral light is at midday. Besides adding the least amount of color, this light makes it easier to see various nuances of color. Consequently, you should judge pearl color under a daylight-equivalent light. Neutral fluorescent bulbs approximate this ideal, but some of these lights are better than others. Three that are recommended are the Duro-Test Vita light, GE Chroma 50 or Sylvania Design 50. This light, however, is not as effective as true sunlight for seeing detail. For example, it's normally easier to read very fine print in sunlight than in artificial light. The intensity of the light from the sun has a lot to do with this.
When you shop for pearls, your choice of lighting will probably be limited. Use the information below to help you compensate for improper lighting.
