A. B. Pearl nose rings. Baroda, India.
C. East Indian earring of strings of pearls and table diamonds.
Collection of Edmund Russell, Esq.
D. E. Grape pendants. Oriental pearls.
From long established custom, recognition is made of twelve classes into which the ten grades or sizes of pearls are divided with respect to shape and luster, the local names of these classes giving a fair indication of their respective characteristics. These names are:
1 Ani, “best”: perfect in sphericity and luster, the true orient pearl. 2 Anatári, “follower”: failing slightly in sphericity and luster. 3 Masanku or Masaku: badly colored pearls, usually gray, symmetrical, and with luster. 4 Kaiyéral, “the clasp of a necklace”: a dark-colored treble pearl, not quite round. 5 Machchakai. 6 Vadivu, “beauty,” also “decreasing”: that which is strained or sifted; found in the 100, 200, and 400 sieves. These small pearls, regular in shape, and of good luster, are especially favored in the East. 7 Madanku, “folded,” or “bent”: all pearls of vadivu size that are imperfect in form or color. 8 Kǔrǔval, “short”: deformed and double pearls; they may, however, be of excellent luster. Ani Kǔrǔval: where two áni are fused together, but so formed that if separate they would be perfectly spherical. Písal Kǔrǔval: where several pearls of good luster and color are fused partially and irregularly together. Pampara Kǔrǔval: a pearl grooved regularly, like a top. 9 Kalippu, “abundance,” or “rejected”: inferior to Anatári; a good pearl, may be lens-shaped or elongated; usually flattened. 10 Písal, “torn”: a deformed pearl or cluster of small misshapen pearls; of poor color and of little value. 11 Kurál: very misshapen and small. 12 Túl, “powder”: the seed-pearls, those retained by the 600, 800, and 1000 sieves.
In addition to the above designations, the following are also used:
Samadiam: a pearl of a reddish hue; pear-shaped but of dull color.
Nimelai: a nose-pearl, perfect skinned, and pear- or egg-shaped.
Sirippu: a pearl grooved with irregular wrinkle-like furrows.
Kodai, “brown”: like a nut, with no nacreous luster; formed of prismatic shell; may be large, is usually spherical, and includes pearls of various colors. This name is also used for white pearls with black or brown marks. Van Kodai: a kodai pearl with one side nacreous. Karunk Kodai: a black or blue-black slag-like pearl.
Masi-túl, “ink-dust,” or “chalk-powder”: smaller than the 1000 sieve. Generally used for medicinal purposes, or burnt and eaten with areca-nut and betel by the natives.