How to Tell if Pearls Are Real: 9 Foolproof Checks You Can Do in 1 Minute

Pearl is not only a beautiful piece of jewelry. It also carries a deep history and culture. Since ancient times, pearls have been given good meaning, symbolizing wealth and status. Is your heirloom pearl necklace real or fake? With imitation pearls flooding the market (over 40% of ‘pearl’ jewelry contains plastic beads!), Knowing how to distinguish genuine gems is crucial. Don't worry! This article will give you a detailed introduction to several simple and easy pearl authenticity identification methods, so that you can easily distinguish the real from the fake pearls and avoid buying fakes!

Firstly, Understanding Real Pearls

A real pearl is a natural gem created within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk (like an oyster, mussel, or clam). Pearls are composed primarily of calcium carbonate in crystalline form (mostly aragonite) deposited in concentric layers, along with a protein called conchiolin. These layers of nacre (pronounced NAY-ker) are what give the pearl its unique luster and iridescence (often called "orient").  

Types of Pearls

Natural pearls: Formed naturally when an irritant, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, enters the mollusk. In self-defense, the mollusk secretes layers of a smooth, iridescent substance called nacre around the irritant. Over time, these layers build up to form a pearl.

Cultured pearls: Similar to natural pearls, but with human intervention. A small pearl or piece of tissue is inserted into the oyster to initiate pearl formation. This process is carefully controlled and results in a higher yield of pearls.

Subtypes of Cultured Pearls

• Akoya: Primarily cultured in Japan and Vietnam in saltwater oysters. Known for their round shape and high luster, typically white or cream.
• Freshwater: Cultured in oysters in lakes and rivers, primarily in China. Known for their wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and often tissue-nucleated (no pearl).
• South Sea: Cultured in large oysters (such as the Pinctada maxima) in salt water in Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Known for their large size and satiny sheen, typically white, silver, or gold.
• Tahitian: Cultivated in the Pinctada margaritifera oyster in saltwater, primarily in French Polynesia. Known for their dark, natural colors, often referred to as "black pearls," they also come in shades of gray, green, blue, and purple.

Decode the Puzzle: Cultured Pearls are Fake?

There is a misconception: real pearls are fully developed without any human intervention. Cultured pearls have human intervention, but are real pearls! The only difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl is how the irritant that starts the process got there.

So, What are Fake Pearls?

Imitation pearls are fake. They are synthetic pearls (usually made of glass, plastic, or shell) that have been coated with a substance that mimics the appearance of mother-of-pearl. They are not mollusk-produced and do not contain genuine mother-of-pearl layers.

How Can You Tell if Pearls Are Real? Real vs. Fake Pearls

Here are some key features to help you quickly identify genuine pearls:

1. Luster

Observe the luster of your pearl jewelry. Genuine pearls have a soft, reflective glow known as "orient" that changes with the angle of light. It's a deep, almost three-dimensional luster, not a flat, shiny surface.

Fake pearls often have a shiny, plastic-like appearance without the depth of real pearls. Reflections might appear harsh or flat.

2. Surface Quality

Inspect the surface for imperfections. Genuine pearls may have slight imperfections or irregularities on their surface due to the layers of mother-of-pearl. They are not perfectly smooth like glass or plastic imitations. This isn't a flaw, but a sign of their organic origin.

Imitation pearls generally tend to have unnaturally smooth, flawless, and uniform surfaces, especially if made of glass or plastic with a coating. Their perfection can be a giveaway.

3. Shape and Uniformity

Natural and cultured pearls come in a variety of shapes (round, oval, baroque, button, drop). Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most valuable. A strand of real pearls, even if described as "round," will likely have slight variations in shape between individual pearls.

Imitation pearl necklaces are often perfectly uniform in size and shape, as they are mass-produced.

Check the Drill Hole to Determine if Real Pearls

4. Pearl Weight

Compare the weight of the pearl to similar-sized beads or pearls. Genuine pearls tend to feel heavier than imitations due to their solid structure. Faux pearls often feel lighter and hollow.

5. Temperature

Hold the pearl in your hand for a few moments to warm it up. Genuine pearls may feel cool to the touch at first and warm up slightly with body heat. Fakes tend to feel warm immediately, similar to plastic.

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How to Tell if Pearls Are Real? Simple Tests at Home

If you still cannot tell the real pearls by observation, here are some simple tests you can try at home to help you determine if your pearls are real:

1. The Tooth Test

Procedure: Gently and carefully rub the surface of the pearl against the front biting edge of one of your teeth (it should be clean!).

Result: Real Pearls will feel slightly gritty or sandy. This is due to the microscopic, crystalline layers of nacre, while Imitation Pearls will feel smooth or slippery, like rubbing plastic or glass.

2. Rub Test

Procedure: Rub real and fake pearls together. If you have two loose pearls or are comfortable rubbing two pearls from a strand against each other, gently rub them together.

Result: Real Pearls will feel slightly gritty as the nacre layers rub against each other. They may even produce a tiny amount of fine, white powder (which is nacre). You can wipe this powder off, and the pearl's surface won't be damaged. Imitation Pearls will feel smooth and slide easily against each other without resistance or producing any powder.

3. The Water Test

Procedure: Place the pearls in different glasses of water.

Result: Real pearls tend to sink slowly due to their density, while imitation pearls can float or sink quickly.

4. The Scratch Test

Procedure: Scratch the surface of the pearl lightly with a fingernail or sharp object (be gentle to avoid damage).

Result: Genuine pearls may show minor scratches or damage, while imitation pearls often remain undamaged due to their harder surface. 

How to Tell if Pearls Are Real? Professional Consultation

Consultation with a professional gemologist is the most reliable way to determine if pearls are genuine. During a consultation, the gemologist will perform a visual inspection under magnification to assess characteristics such as luster and surface quality. They may use advanced techniques such as X-rays and refractive index measurements to further analyze the pearls. They can also provide care instructions and estimate the market value of the pearls, giving you confidence in your pearl jewelry.

How to Choose a Piece of Pearl Jewelry?

Choosing a piece of pearl jewelry involves several considerations to ensure that you select the right piece that suits your style and needs. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Consider the type of pearl: Decide between natural and cultured pearls, and familiarize yourself with types such as Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea.
2. Pearl quality: When choosing pearl jewelry, prioritize luster, surface quality, and shape.
3. Jewelry style: Consider what type of pearl jewelry you want, pearl necklaces, pearl rings, or pearl earrings. Consider the overall style of the piece and how the setting will enhance the pearls.
4. Set a budget: Set a budget, as prices can vary widely.
5. Buy from a reputable source: Buy from a reputable jewelry store or trusted online retailer.

Conclusion

Pearls are not only jewelry but also the art of time. Each pearl has a unique history, just like your life. Juyoyo has always been committed to providing customers with the highest quality pearls. We have a professional identification team, each pearl is strictly screened and identified to ensure that each product has the highest quality. Choose Juyoyo, you can not only get beautiful pearls but also enjoy the most professional service.

FAQs

How Much do Pearls Cost?

Pearl value varies significantly based on several factors, including the type of pearl (Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian, South Sea), its size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, and nacre quality.

How to Determine Real Pearls?

To determine if a pearl is genuine, a simple test is the tooth test: rub the pearl gently against your front teeth. Genuine pearls feel slightly gritty, while fakes feel smooth.

What do Real Natural Pearls Look Like?

Genuine natural pearls have a deep, radiant luster with soft rainbow-like overtones (called "orient"), slightly imperfect surfaces with tiny ridges or bumps under magnification, and a warm, organic glow that changes subtly when rotated.

Do Real Pearls Sink or Float?

Genuine pearls typically sink in water. Most imitation pearls, especially those made of plastic or glass, are less dense than real pearls and often float.

What Happens if Real Pearls Get Wet?

Real pearls can get wet for a short time (such as when worn in the rain), but prolonged exposure to water can damage the nacre layer over time. Always dry them gently with a soft cloth.

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