Unworked cultured pearls (710121) are in their natural harvested state with no processing beyond cleaning or basic sorting. Worked cultured pearls (710122) have undergone additional processing such as drilling, cutting, or polishing but remain unmounted and unset. The degree of processing determines which subheading applies.

Pearls temporarily strung for convenience of transport remain classifiable under 7101 rather than as jewelry, provided the stringing is clearly temporary and not a finished article. Importers should retain supplier documentation confirming the stringing is for transport purposes only, as CBP may request evidence to confirm the goods are not finished jewelry.