Grade Definitions

Presentation Grade is the highest grade of Mother of Pearl obtainable. This grade of pearl has no fractures, defects, discoloration, holes or unfavorable markings.

“A+” Grade is very similar to Presentation grade. Usually, this grade will have one very minor flaw at one end of the scale. This flaw will usually include yellow coloration, and/or a slight fracture. Usually, this flaw can be cut around or trimmed away. In most instances, A+ grade will finish out to be Presentation grade.

“A” Grade is also a very high grade of pearl. Pieces will have a flawless front side. The reverse side will generally have minor shallow fractures, some yellow coloration, and/or a slight hole that can be avoided.

“B” Grade is still a workable grade of Mother of Pearl and is commonly used by beginning knife makers or knife makers that make relatively inexpensive knives. “B” grade Mother of Pearl will still have a flawless front side. The reverse side will have some deeper fractures, more discoloration, a larger hole that has been filled, and/or some exterior bark.

Prices are per pair, see pricing chart below. Presentation Grade is not always available, please call 828-524-6842 or email culpepperandco@verizon.net.

Please contact us for current avilability of sizes and prices at culpepperandco@verizon.net or 828-524-6842.

Blacklip Mother of Pearl or Pinctada Margaritifera is probably one of the most exclusive pearls in demand in todays knife and instrument market. It comes from small shells found in French Polynesia around Tahiti and its Archipelagos. Just under the exterior bark of the shell is where the real beauty of the Blacklip shell lies. Like Goldlip, Blacklip has a black/grey color around the lip of the shell. Also, like Goldlip, Blacklip is priced by the depth of color and iridescence. A nice pair of Blacklip will have every color of the rainbow in its iridescent black background. A pair is considered large if it has a usable area of 2 1/2/” x 7/8” x .080”. Currently Blacklip is especially difficult to yield and sizes max out near 3" in length and 1" wide.

NOTE: Currently, Blacklip is at an all time low with regards to availability. Some larger orders are taking several months to deliver due to the shortage of quality large shells.

Please contact us for current avilability of sizes and prices at culpepperandco@verizon.net or 828-524-6842.

Goldlip Mother of Pearl or Pinctada Maxima is scientifically the same as White M.O.P. only that gold is taken from the reverse side of the shell. Good quality dark gold shells come from the waters surrounding the Philippines and parts of Indonesia. Goldlip shells will yield both gold pieces from the edges as well as colorful white pieces from the inside of the shell. While this gives us two valuable but distinctly different colors, it is not desirable to have both colors showing on the surface of any piece. Goldlip is priced based on depth of color and iridescence. A good quality pair of gold pearl will not have any inclusions in the surface. Currently Goldlip is especially difficult to yield and sizes max out near 3" in length and 1" wide.

Please contact us for current avilability of sizes and prices at culpepperandco@verizon.net or 828-524-6842.

Red Abalone or Haliotis Refuscens is a very exclusive material that has a demand much greater than it's supply. The Red Abalone shell comes from just off the Northern California/Southern Oregon coast. It’s name is a bit deceiving, it isn’t red at all but gets its name from the exterior bark which has a very red or pink tint. Most shells are not large enough to yield realistic knife handles. This combined with their tendency to be full of holes created by boring sponges, makes for only about 2% of all abalone harvested worth cutting. Abalone has two areas that are of particular interest to knife makers. First, there is the lip section which has a bulls-eye type pattern where iridescent pools of color blend together in a random larger pattern. Second, the heart section has a tight pattern of different colors and reveals the illusion of depth on the surface. Neither is more expensive than the other; it’s only a matter of personal choice. A large pair of abalone will get as large 3" x 1" x 1/8" and if it has good quality will be quite costly. Other abalones include Blue-Green Paua from New Zealand, Awabi from Japan, and Green Abalone from Mexico and Southern California. Most of these rarely get large enough to make a full exposed handle and are primarily used for inter-frames or inlays. Most pieces are cut to order. Please call for the latest in availability and prices.

Please contact us for current avilability of sizes and prices at culpepperandco@verizon.net or 828-524-6842.

Pink Freshwater Pearl is found in lakes in the Mid-Western United States. Large Pink Pearl is a diminishing resource. Unlike the saltwater pearls, Pink Pearl doesn’t have a lot of iridescence. It has a pale pink color. Large pieces can range anywhere from 2” x 3/4” x .100” to 3” x 1” x 1/8”. Pink Pearl is priced by the square inch.

Select sizes and grades only. Prices shown are per pair. Due to the inherent nature of this natural material, the product in the photo represents a sample only. Actual order may differ from photo.

Great inlay and mosaic materials. All of the material listed in this category will be finished slabs and will be completely flat and ready to work. All material is available in the stated range of sizes. Requested specifics such as size and/or thickness may not be available. We will do our best to adhear to your requested needs. Assorted sample sizes starting from 2 x 5/8 to 3 x 1 with a minimum thickness of 0.060, and are not cut to order. Priced by the piece only, not available as matching pairs.

Great inlay and mosaic materials. All of the material listed in this category will be finished slabs and will be completely flat and ready to work. All material is available in the stated range of sizes. Requested specifics such as size and/or thickness may not be available. We will do our best to adhear to your requested needs.  Assorted sample sizes start from 2 x 1/2 to 3 x 7/8 with a minimum thickness of 0.050, and are not cut to order. Priced by the piece only, not available as matching pairs.

Great inlay and mosaic materials. All of the material listed in this category will be finished slabs and will be completely flat and ready to work. All material is available in the stated range of sizes. Requested specifics such as size and/or thickness may not be available. We will do our best to adhear to your requested needs. Assorted sample sizes start from 2 x 1/2 to 3 x 7/8 with a minimum thickness of 0.060, and are not cut to order. Priced by the piece only, not available as matching pairs.