![]() Depending on whether human assistance is involved, this organic gem can be cultured or natural. A real pearl is made from pearl oysters in fresh or salt water. Growing pearls, on the other hand, means that the pearl farmer gently opens the shell and injects a small object as an irritant (usually pearls or metal), then places them back in the water and waits for the pearls to form. Here, an experienced technician implants a stimulus into the mussel to stimulate pearl formation. This happens when the cultured pearls rub against each other and rub off the paint that makes the pearls look real. A real pearl should have a rough and slightly grainy texture, with small scale-like defects on the outer surface of the mother-of-pearl.įaux glass or plastic beads are almost always perfect and smooth. Use a 5x or 10x magnifying glass to observe the surface of the pearl if it is a real pearl (including natural pearls and cultured pearls), the surface seems to grow grains, like the wind on the sand dune but if you see the rough surface of the eggshell, then this It is an imitation pearl. Rivers seem to be the formation where freshwater pearls are most likely to naturally occur. Pearls can form within nearly any clam or oyster, and numerous species exist within the freshwater systems of the world. Therefore, if it seems to you that you are rubbing your teeth with sandpaper, then the pearl is real.įreshwater pearls are real. You can tell, especially on the pink strand, that the pearls are of varying shapes and have a beautiful sheen to them.Pearls are imitation pearls – as they consist of shiny shells with mother-of-pearl on thick, very round ones, they have a mother-of-pearl luster, their density does not differ much from real pearls. Two out of the three strands of pearls I picked up are below ( here are all three). I later took my pearls to my jeweler to confirm and appraise the value of the pearls – turns out they are real and I got a killer deal on them! In my situation, I was comfortable assuming the pearls were real by the friction test, the weight, and the color and shape. Of course, you should always consult a jeweler if you’re unsure, but if you’re in a situation like mine where you can’t come back later to get the pearls, these are some great ways to determine for yourself if they’re real and if you’re willing to take the risk. The quality of the clasp is also an indicator and often feature safety mechanisms such as a fish hook clasp. The Setting: It’s a small detail that’s sometimes missed, but real pearls are typically on silk strands with knots between each pearl.Weight: Real pearls are typically heavier than their fake counterparts.Real pearls have a translucent, opalescent-like sheen to them or an “oily” appearance. ![]() Color: The beauty of a real pearl is something that can’t be imitated.Temperature: Real pearls are cold when you initially pick them up as opposed to plastic fake pearls, whose temperature will be room temperature.Simulated pearls are exactly uniform, they’ll look too perfect. Flaw Test: Real pearls have flaws, imperfections, and slight variances in color, shape, and texture.Tooth Test: Lightly rub a pearl against your tooth similar to the friction test, a real pearl should feel gritty.Fake, or simulated, pearls are manufactured so they are often smooth and no resistance is felt. Real pearls should feel gritty when rubbed together, not smooth. Friction Test: Rub two pearls from the strand together.So after consulting with my jeweler, I’ve compiled a list of seven ways to determine if a pearl is real or fake. I started googling and realized that there are many tips and tricks. Of course she wasn’t sure and said something about biting pearls and that she’d call to ask my aunt. I wanted to make sure that the strands I was purchasing were real so I immediately called my mom to ask her if she knew how to tell if pearls were real or fake. Were my eyes deceiving me? Were they real? Were they fake? Women were snatching them up left and right so I quickly maneuvered over to the table and grabbed a few strands myself. I saw them in white, pink, black, and a opalescent blue shade. I’ve never even been able to find fake pearls in such lengths so I immediately knew I wanted them. I went in anticipating that I wouldn’t find anything but then I saw them – sitting on a jewelry display – strands upon strands of pearls of varying colors, lengths, and sizes. A few months ago, I was at a vintage bazaar scouring racks of beautiful clothes, handbags, shoes, and jewelry.
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