How to: Distinguishing Fake and Real Pearls
Pearls are like most other precious stones; they are nice to look at, cost a hefty chunk of change to purchase and are often faked. Just because they're round and pretty doesn't mean that your pearls are the real McCoy. There are several different tests you can use to determine if your pearls are really pearls or are just fancy plastic beads. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Rub the pearl against your front teeth. If the pearl has a gritty or rough feeling when you rub, then chances are it's real. However, this test is not necessarily conclusive, since there are some newer variations of imitation pearl that also feel rough and gritty against your teeth.
-
2
Burn the pearl. Take a lighter or match and hold the pearl in the flame. Real pearls are extremely flame-resistant and will not melt, while fake pearls will deform under the heat.
-
-
3
Take the pearls out into the sun or a bright light and examine them closely. Real pearls will usually not have a uniform color and iridescence unless they are of high quality and cost.
-
4
Examine the drill holes closely if the pearl is on a necklace or pendant. Real pearls will have smooth boreholes, while imitation pearls will have slight deformities, as if the pearl had melted slightly during the drilling process.
-
5
Compare size and shape. Real pearls are rarely uniform in appearance and will vary in size and shape from one another. Fake pearls, on the other hand, will typically have no variation in size or shape due to their machined nature.
-
6
Examine the setting. If the pearl is surrounded by authentic precious stones and metals like gold or diamonds, it's a good bet that the pearl itself is real as well. People will not spend thousands of dollars mounting a fake pearl into an expensive setting. Similarly, if the settings are of cheaper materials, it's safe to assume that the pearl is probably not of great value either.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Digital Vision/Getty Images
