How to Tell if a Pearl Is Real
Look for minor imperfections., Check for a sharp, healthy luster., Check for an overtone., Look for clues around the drill hole., Look in the hole for a line between the nacre and nucleus.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look for minor imperfections.
As noted above, real pearls are only rarely "perfect".
Usually, they'll have small blemishes or irregularities in their shape.Their outer nacre layer may also reflect light differently on different parts of the pearl.
Imitation pearls are almost always "too perfect" — they look perfectly spherical, they have the same amount of luster on every part of the surface, and show no indents or imperfections.
While perfectly round real pearls are rare but possible, a necklace will almost never be made only from these types of pearls.
A necklace made from pearls that all seem to be exactly the same smooth, round shape is almost certainly a fake. -
Step 2: Check for a sharp
Luster is a way that jewelers describe the type of light reflected from a precious stone.
A pearl's luster is part of what makes it so beautiful.
Good-quality pearls should have a bright, clear luster that makes them shine when light hits them.
If you look closely, you should be able to see your own reflection on the pearl's surface.One problem with this test is that low-quality real pearls (which generally have a dull, "chalky" luster) can look similar to fake pearls.
Check your results with a few of the other tests in this article., Good-quality pearls are often prized for their overtones — the subtle color that is visible on their outer surface when light hits them.
Fake pearls will usually not have this overtone effect, which is tricky to duplicate.
Thus, if your pearl seems very slightly shaded with color when light hits is, there is a good chance it's real.
Rose and ivory are two of the most desired overtones for white pearls, though a wide variety of colors are possible, especially for dark pearls.Since some real pearls don't have a visible overtone, not seeing an overtone on your pearl isn't necessarily a sure sign that it's fake. , Pearls on a strand or necklace will usually have holes drilled in them for the string to pass through.
Examining this hole carefully can help you tell whether your pearl is real or not.
Specific things you'll want to look for include:
Well-defined edges to the hole.
Real pearls usually have drill holes with sharp edges (like a hollow cylinder).
Fakes often have rough or rounded edges.
However, old and well-worn real pearls may also have rounded edges to their holes.
Fake pearls may also bow outward at the surface of the pearl, rather than being perfectly cylindrical.
Chipped paint or coating around the hole.
As fake pearls rub against each other with repeated use, their artificial coating can wear away around the holes.
You may be able to see slivers of glass or plastic underneath.
This is a sure sign of a fake. , A real pearl almost always has a clear outer nacre layer, while fake pearls have thin layers of artificial nacre or lack them entirely.
If your pearl has a drill hole, you can check for nacre by peering in with a magnifying glass.
Real pearls will usually (but not always) have a noticeable line that separates the nacre from the nucleus (the inside part of the pearl). -
Step 3: healthy luster.
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Step 4: Check for an overtone.
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Step 5: Look for clues around the drill hole.
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Step 6: Look in the hole for a line between the nacre and nucleus.
Detailed Guide
As noted above, real pearls are only rarely "perfect".
Usually, they'll have small blemishes or irregularities in their shape.Their outer nacre layer may also reflect light differently on different parts of the pearl.
Imitation pearls are almost always "too perfect" — they look perfectly spherical, they have the same amount of luster on every part of the surface, and show no indents or imperfections.
While perfectly round real pearls are rare but possible, a necklace will almost never be made only from these types of pearls.
A necklace made from pearls that all seem to be exactly the same smooth, round shape is almost certainly a fake.
Luster is a way that jewelers describe the type of light reflected from a precious stone.
A pearl's luster is part of what makes it so beautiful.
Good-quality pearls should have a bright, clear luster that makes them shine when light hits them.
If you look closely, you should be able to see your own reflection on the pearl's surface.One problem with this test is that low-quality real pearls (which generally have a dull, "chalky" luster) can look similar to fake pearls.
Check your results with a few of the other tests in this article., Good-quality pearls are often prized for their overtones — the subtle color that is visible on their outer surface when light hits them.
Fake pearls will usually not have this overtone effect, which is tricky to duplicate.
Thus, if your pearl seems very slightly shaded with color when light hits is, there is a good chance it's real.
Rose and ivory are two of the most desired overtones for white pearls, though a wide variety of colors are possible, especially for dark pearls.Since some real pearls don't have a visible overtone, not seeing an overtone on your pearl isn't necessarily a sure sign that it's fake. , Pearls on a strand or necklace will usually have holes drilled in them for the string to pass through.
Examining this hole carefully can help you tell whether your pearl is real or not.
Specific things you'll want to look for include:
Well-defined edges to the hole.
Real pearls usually have drill holes with sharp edges (like a hollow cylinder).
Fakes often have rough or rounded edges.
However, old and well-worn real pearls may also have rounded edges to their holes.
Fake pearls may also bow outward at the surface of the pearl, rather than being perfectly cylindrical.
Chipped paint or coating around the hole.
As fake pearls rub against each other with repeated use, their artificial coating can wear away around the holes.
You may be able to see slivers of glass or plastic underneath.
This is a sure sign of a fake. , A real pearl almost always has a clear outer nacre layer, while fake pearls have thin layers of artificial nacre or lack them entirely.
If your pearl has a drill hole, you can check for nacre by peering in with a magnifying glass.
Real pearls will usually (but not always) have a noticeable line that separates the nacre from the nucleus (the inside part of the pearl).
About the Author
Jose Butler
Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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