Lustre (also spelled "luster") is
hard to define. Pearls are not diamonds or sapphires – they don't refract light the way a gemstone does.
Luster
for freshwater pearls is difficult to define. This is because pearls are different
from other stones like diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. They don’t reflect and
refract light the way these gem stones do.
Lustre is the sheen, the
reflection, the glimmer that pearls have – or should have. It is the quality
and the quantity of light shining on a pearl which is reflected from the
service and just beneath the surface.
Luster is actually the gloss, glimmer and
reflection of the pearls. It is the shinny surface of the pearl which is
proportional to the amount of light that is reflected or refracted from the
surface or just beneath the surface of the freshwater pearl
Otherwise perfect pearls, round
and flawless, are less valuable if they are dull and boring.
If the pearls are dull and have no shine
they would not have any value and importance. So the luster of pearls makes
them to look lovely and beautiful. Compared to other pearls freshwater pearls
have got a little less shine and luster but this doesn’t mean that they are not
beautiful when compared to other pearls like saltwater pearls, Akoya pearls,
south sea pearls and Tahitians pearls. They are equally stylish and elegant and
are hugely popular amongst people who are fond of collecting pearls.
