How to Identify Pearls in Vintage Jewelry

Look for rings around the drill hole., Examine for variations in size and color., Notice the shape of the pearl.

3 Steps 1 min read Easy

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Look for rings around the drill hole.

    A fake pearl will not have any rings or or ridges around a drill hole.

    Put the pearls under a light and use a magnifying glass to inspect the drill hole.

    If the holes are smooth, then the pearls are likely fake., A string of fake pearls is usually uniform in color and size.

    Real pearls are formed by nature, so there will be differences in each pearl.

    Look at the pearls for variation in and size and color.

    The differences may not be dramatic, but they should ne noticeable., A perfectly round pearl is very rare and will sell at a very high price.

    A typical pearl may still be real, but it won’t be perfectly round.

    It may be shaped like an oval, or there may be a bump in an otherwise round pearl.

    A string of pearls is likely fake if every pearl appears like a tiny ball.
  2. Step 2: Examine for variations in size and color.

  3. Step 3: Notice the shape of the pearl.

Detailed Guide

A fake pearl will not have any rings or or ridges around a drill hole.

Put the pearls under a light and use a magnifying glass to inspect the drill hole.

If the holes are smooth, then the pearls are likely fake., A string of fake pearls is usually uniform in color and size.

Real pearls are formed by nature, so there will be differences in each pearl.

Look at the pearls for variation in and size and color.

The differences may not be dramatic, but they should ne noticeable., A perfectly round pearl is very rare and will sell at a very high price.

A typical pearl may still be real, but it won’t be perfectly round.

It may be shaped like an oval, or there may be a bump in an otherwise round pearl.

A string of pearls is likely fake if every pearl appears like a tiny ball.

About the Author

A

Andrea Morales

Enthusiastic about teaching crafts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.

71 articles
View all articles

Rate This Guide

--
Loading...
5
0
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: