Glossary of Pearl Terms Q
quahog: Saltwater bivalve mollusk (Mercenaria mercenaria) also known as the cherrystone clam.
quahog pearl: Small, often violet natural pearl with a porcelaneous surface produced by the quahog mollusk.
Quality Assurance Tag: Introduced by JPEA in 1999 as a voluntary quality-control system, the tag is attached to temporary cultured pearl strands before export to indicate they have met minimum quality standards.
quality factors: Characteristics of natural or cultured pearls used to establish their value.
queen conch: Gastropod (Strombus gigas) that produces natural non-nacreous pearls known as conch pearls.
queen?s necklace: Pearl necklace measuring 31.5 inches (80 cm).