NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PEARLS AND PRODUCT PRESENTATION

This section forms an integral part of the product description and provides information about the natural characteristics of pearls, quality grading, dimensions, shape and the manner in which the product is presented.

1. The Natural Characteristics of Pearls

Cultured pearls are organic products of natural origin and, owing to the nature of their formation process, no two pearls are perfectly identical.

They may exhibit natural variations in shape, size, colour, shade, lustre, orient, texture and surface appearance, including minor irregularities, spots, striations, growth rings or other natural characteristics.

Such variations may occur both between different products and among the pearls used in the same piece of jewellery. In the case of earrings, sets or other products containing multiple pearls, their selection and matching are intended to achieve overall harmony in shape, size, colour and appearance, without implying that the individual pearls are perfectly identical.

Natural surface characteristics and reasonable differences between pearls form part of the individual character of the material and are inherent features of cultured pearls.

Such characteristics are inherent in the natural character of cultured pearls and do not, in themselves, constitute manufacturing defects or a lack of conformity. Their presence and extent are assessed in relation to the product's overall characteristics and the nature of the material.

2. Pearl Size and Shape

The dimensions stated on the Website represent the size or commercial size range within which the pearl is classified, according to the measurement method applicable to its type and shape.

The dimensions specified for pearls are commercial reference sizes or size ranges. Due to the natural characteristics of pearls, their individual shape variations and the measurement process, actual dimensions may reasonably vary by approximately ±5% from the stated value or the limits of the specified range, unless a different tolerance is expressly indicated in the product description.

As pearls are organic products rather than perfect geometric shapes, the dimensions of an individual pearl may also vary depending on the axis along which it is measured. Depending on the pearl's type, shape and individual characteristics, reasonable natural differences of approximately 10–15% may occur between the different measurement axes of the same pearl.

Such natural variation does not, in itself, mean that the pearl belongs to a different size or shape category, provided that its overall characteristics remain consistent with the category under which the product is marketed.

Terms such as "round", "near-round", "oval", "drop-shaped" and "baroque" are commercial shape classifications. In the case of cultured pearls, these terms describe the pearl's predominant overall shape and do not imply a perfectly reproduced geometric form or absolute uniformity between pearls belonging to the same category.

Within the commercial classification system used by the Seller, the term "drop-shaped" refers to an oval or elongated oval shape with an overall appearance resembling a drop. Pearls in this category may be more or less elongated, more rounded or slightly asymmetrical, and their outlines are not required to be perfectly identical to those of the pearl shown in the product photographs.

The actual shape of a pearl may exhibit natural variations compared with the specimen illustrated in the product photographs. The photographs are representative of the general shape category; however, owing to the natural character of pearls, they do not guarantee an identical reproduction of the outline, proportions or degree of symmetry of every pearl supplied.

In the case of cultured pearls, the term "round" does not imply perfect geometric sphericity or absolute mathematical equality of all diameters.

3. Quality Grading

Grades such as AAA+, AAA, AA+ or similar designations represent commercial quality classifications for pearls, established through an overall assessment of several characteristics, including lustre, surface quality and appearance, shape, colour, orient, nacre quality and the pearl's overall appearance.

By its very nature, the assessment of these characteristics also involves an element of professional judgement, as qualities such as lustre, orient, surface appearance, shape and overall appearance cannot, in every case, be quantified exclusively through mathematical criteria. Consequently, reasonable differences in assessment may arise between graders or between different commercial grading systems. This element of professional judgement does not mean that grading is arbitrary; rather, it reflects an overall assessment of the pearl's characteristics within the framework of the grading system applied.

There is no single internationally mandatory pearl grading system applied identically by all producers, suppliers, laboratories and retailers. Consequently, the meaning of a grade such as AAA, AA+ or AAA+ may vary depending on the grading system used.

The grades assigned to products represent commercial assessments based on the pearl's overall characteristics, within the grading system used by the Seller.

Accordingly, the same pearl may receive different grades under different grading systems or when assessed by different graders, without the mere existence of a difference in assessment necessarily demonstrating that either classification is incorrect.

Where a product description uses percentage-based expressions relating to surface appearance, such as "less than 5% imperfections", "more than 95% clean surface" or similar wording, these represent commercial and visual estimates made as part of the pearl's overall assessment, rather than the results of an exact geometric or mathematical measurement of its surface. The assessment of such percentages inherently involves a reasonable degree of professional judgement, influenced by factors including the pearl's shape and size, as well as the type, position and visibility of its surface characteristics.

No individual characteristic, in itself, automatically determines whether a pearl is included in or excluded from a particular quality grade, unless a specific criterion is expressly stated in the description of the relevant product.

Consequently, a grade such as AAA, AAA+ or a similar designation does not, unless expressly stated otherwise, constitute a guarantee of a particular mathematically defined percentage of perfectly smooth surface, the complete absence of natural characteristics, perfect geometric sphericity or absolute equality of the pearl's diameters.

Pearls classified within the higher quality grades may still exhibit natural surface characteristics, minor variations in shape or texture, or other features associated with their natural formation process. These characteristics are assessed in conjunction with the pearl's lustre, orient, surface, shape and other qualities.

Assessments or grading systems published by third parties do not automatically apply to products sold by the Seller unless the relevant system is expressly identified in the product description as the standard used for grading that product.

4. Photographs, Colours, Apparent Dimensions, Design and Settings

Photographs, videos and other visual materials published on the Website illustrate the product model and its overall appearance.

Due to the natural characteristics of pearls, the actual item supplied may exhibit natural differences from the photographed specimen in terms of shade, shape, size, lustre, orient, texture and surface characteristics.

Photographing and filming pearls and the metal surfaces of jewellery settings is particularly sensitive to lighting conditions, colour temperature and the direction of light, camera angles, reflections, exposure, white balance, camera characteristics and the technical processing of images. For these reasons, reasonable differences may occur between the colour or shade perceived in photographs or videos and the product's appearance under real-life lighting conditions.

These differences may affect both the pearls and the settings or other metal components of the jewellery, which may appear warmer or cooler in tone, lighter or darker, depending on the lighting, reflections, viewing angle and conditions under which the photographs or videos were produced.

Highlights, reflections, the interplay of light, the intensity of lustre, pearl orient and the visual effects of metal surfaces depend directly on how light falls on the product, the viewing angle, the conditions in which the photographs or videos were taken and the technical processing of the visual material. These effects may vary significantly under actual lighting conditions and should not be interpreted as having identical intensity or appearance in every situation.

The reproduction of colours and shades may also vary depending on the device used to view the Website, including screen type, brightness, contrast, colour profile, resolution and the settings of the monitor, mobile phone or tablet. For this reason, the absolutely identical reproduction of a particular colour or shade across all devices cannot be guaranteed.

The apparent size of the product, pearls or other components in photographs or videos displayed on the Website does not represent their actual dimensions, and such images should not be interpreted as being shown to scale. The size at which a product appears depends on the dimensions and resolution of the device, its settings and the way in which the image is displayed. To assess actual dimensions, reference should be made to the numerical measurements or size ranges specified for the product.

In the case of necklaces, bracelets and sets made from pearls strung continuously, one next to another, the actual number of pearls used may differ from the number visible in the product photographs. This depends on the individual dimensions and shapes of the pearls, as well as the particular characteristics of the jewellery's construction.

The number of pearls visible in photographs does not constitute a guaranteed pearl count unless that number is expressly stated in the product description.

The length of the product is as specified in its description, subject to a natural and manufacturing tolerance of approximately ±5%, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Variations in workmanship may also occur between production batches or in certain assembly components, provided that they do not materially alter the stated materials, functionality, safety, overall design or other essential characteristics of the product.

Unless expressly accompanied by technical specifications in the product description, exterior photographs do not constitute technical diagrams of the jewellery's internal structure and do not necessarily describe the internal method of drilling, securing or assembling its components.

5. Commercial Language and Editorial Descriptions

In addition to information about its characteristics, a product description may contain editorial, stylistic, descriptive or marketing expressions intended to convey the product's aesthetics, inspiration, character or the way in which it may be perceived or worn.

Expressions relating to elegance, refinement, beauty, femininity, radiance, style, the effect on an outfit or similar assessments are subjective and promotional in nature. They do not constitute promises or guarantees that wearing the product will produce any particular aesthetic, personal, emotional or social effect on the wearer.

The name of the product, collection or product variant, as well as metaphorical, evocative or creative expressions used in its presentation, serve commercial and editorial purposes and do not, in themselves, constitute technical specifications, certifications, quality standards or objective product characteristics, unless expressly indicated otherwise.

The perception of beauty, colour, proportions, elegance, suitability for a particular person or outfit, and the overall appearance of jewellery is inherently subjective and may vary from one individual to another.

Such expressions do not alter or replace the product's objective characteristics, including its materials, dimensions, pearl type, metal, shape or other expressly communicated specifications.

6. Right of Withdrawal

Regardless of the natural characteristics described in this section, if the Consumer does not like the product, finds it unsuitable, considers that it does not meet their preferences or wishes to return it for any other reason, they may exercise their statutory right of withdrawal within 14 days, without having to provide any justification for their decision.

For products eligible for withdrawal, returns are free of charge, subject to the applicable returns policy.

The right of withdrawal may be exercised in accordance with the conditions and exceptions established by law. Products made or personalised according to the Consumer's specifications may be excluded from the right of withdrawal in the circumstances provided for under applicable legislation.