How to Tell The Exact Difference Between Fake & Real Pearls

Are you ever wondering if those strange-looking pearls you've been buying are real? It turns out they're not. Most of the time, fake pearls are made from plastic and can even harm your jewellery collection. So how do you know if you're buying a real pearl?

What Are Real Pearls?

Real pearls are natural gemstones formed inside the shells of certain species of molluscs, such as oysters and mussels. They are created when a small irritant, such as a grain of sand, enters the mollusc's shell, and the mollusc secretes layers of a substance called nacre around the irritant.

Over time, this process can form a pearl, a hard, spherical or slightly irregular-shaped object with a smooth, lustrous surface.

Pearls are considered a symbol of beauty and are often used in jewellery, such as necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. They can be found in various colours, including white, cream, yellow, pink, black, and silver.

A pearl's value is determined by various factors, including its size, shape, colour, and lustre. Natural pearls are considered more valuable than cultured pearls, which are created in a laboratory setting using a similar process to natural pearls.

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What Are Fake Pearls?

Fake pearls, also known as imitation or costume pearls, are beads or objects that look like real pearls but are not made from a mollusc's nacre. They are often made from glass, plastic, ceramic, or shell and may be coated with a substance such as mother-of-pearl or fish scales to give them a pearl-like appearance.

These pearls are generally much less expensive than real pearls and are often used in costume jewellery or as fashion accessories.

There are a few different ways to distinguish fake pearls from real pearls. One method is to rub the pearls against your teeth: real pearls will feel slightly gritty, while fake pearls will feel smooth. Another method is to use a magnifying glass to examine the surface of the pearls: real pearls will have small imperfections and irregularities on their surface. In contrast, fake pearls will have a more uniform appearance.

Finally, you can use a simple acid test to determine the authenticity of pearls: real pearls will not react to a drop of hydrochloric acid. In contrast, fake pearls made of glass or plastic will dissolve or soften when exposed to the acid.

How to Spot Fake Pearls

1. Using Touch Tests

One method for distinguishing fake pearls from real pearls is to use touch tests. These tests rely on the physical properties of real pearls, which can help you determine if a particular bead is a genuine pearl or an imitation.

Here are a few touch tests you can try:

The Tooth Test: Rub the pearl against the front of your upper teeth. Real pearls will feel slightly gritty, while fake pearls will feel smooth.

The Warmth Test: Hold the pearl in the palm of your hand and rub it gently between your thumb and forefinger. Real pearls will absorb heat and feel warm to the touch, while fake pearls will remain cool.

The Weight Test: Compare the weight of the pearl to that of a real pearl of similar size. Real pearls are typically denser and heavier than fake pearls made of materials such as glass or plastic.

Remember that these touch tests are not foolproof and may not work with all types of fake pearls. However, they can be a useful tool for identifying genuine pearls in many cases.

2. Performing Advanced Tests

Several advanced tests can be used to determine the authenticity of pearls. These tests are generally more reliable than simple touch tests but may require specialised equipment or expertise.

Here are a few advanced tests you can try:

The X-ray Test: Real pearls will show a distinct layer structure when viewed with an X-ray machine. This is because they are formed by layers of nacre secreted by a mollusc. Fake pearls, however, will not show this layer structure.

The Ultrasonic Test: Real pearls will have a specific velocity of sound when tested with an ultrasonic device. Fake pearls will have a different velocity of sound.

The Chemical Test: Real pearls are made of calcium carbonate and will not react to a drop of hydrochloric acid. Fake pearls made of glass or plastic will dissolve or soften when exposed to acid.

It is important to note that a trained professional should perform these advanced tests, as they may require specialised equipment and knowledge. If you are unsure about the authenticity of a pearl, it is best to have it evaluated by a gemologist or a professional pearl dealer.

Common Types of Fake Pearls

Several types of fake pearls are commonly used in costume jewellery and other decorative items. These include:

Glass pearls: These are beads made of glass coated with a substance such as mother-of-pearl or fish scales to give them a pearl-like appearance. They are generally much cheaper than real pearls and are commonly used in costume jewellery.

Plastic pearls: These are beads made of plastic coated with a substance such as mother-of-pearl or fish scales to give them a pearl-like appearance. They are often used in costume jewellery and are much less expensive than real pearls.

Ceramic pearls: These are beads made of ceramic that are coated with a substance such as mother-of-pearl or fish scales to give them a pearl-like appearance. They are generally less expensive than real pearls and are often used in costume jewellery.

Shell pearls: These are beads made from the shells of molluscs, such as abalone or clam shells, that are coated with a substance such as mother-of-pearl or fish scales to give them a pearl-like appearance. They are generally less expensive than real pearls and are often used in costume jewellery.

It is important to note that fake pearls are not made of the same material as real pearls and do not have the same value. Real pearls are formed inside the shells of molluscs and are made of nacre, while fake pearls are generally made of materials such as glass, plastic, ceramic, or shell.

Conclusion

Knowing the difference between real and fake pearls is important. Real pearls are made from a single type of pearl, while fake pearls are made from several different types. If you are unsure which type of pearl you are looking at, it is best to ask Astteria as soon as possible!

FAQs

What is the name of fake pearls?

Other names for fake pearls include "faux," "costume," and "imitation." They may be created from plastic, glass, or fake fish scales. A type of imitation pearl is called a "major pearl." Nothing about them makes it appropriate to call them pearls.

Do fake pearls have any value?

Compared to real pearls, imitations manufactured of glass or resin are useless. In general, natural pearls are much more expensive than their produced counterparts.

Do genuine pearls float in the ocean?

In water, pearls do not float. To make them float, you need transparent gels. The likelihood is that you placed more than 1/2" of water over the final layer of the Transparent Gels in your vase if you previously had them and had prepared them by the preparation instructions that came with your order.