Grading
Enamel pins are hand-made works of art, which means each piece is unique. This also means it’s almost impossible to have a ‘perfect’ pin - but that doesn’t make the pins any less beautiful!
Every pin-maker has their own grading guide - here’s mine:
A+ Grades/Collectors
-
Virtually flawless, or with teeny tiny flaws that are very hard to see
A Grades/Standards
- No visible imperfections at arm’s length
- No facial flaws
May contain:
- Small scratches
- Small bubbles
- Slight printing misalignments
- Slight enamel underfill
- Slight enamel overfill
- Small specks of dust or stray glitter
B+ Grades/Standards
- No facial flaws
- May contain other flaws from B grades, as below
B Grades/Seconds
- Minor imperfections may be visible at arm’s length
- Minor imperfections on faces
- May have more than two minor imperfections
- May have more noticeable imperfections visible at arm’s length
C Grades
- Major imperfections on faces
- Missing enamel
- Misaligned printing
- Deep scratches and/or dents
- Other major flaws