Soft in glow, and rich in meaning, pearls are among the most beautiful natural creations. But with beauty comes the possibility of imitation. If you have a string of pearls and would like to find out whether they're natural or not, this blog post may give you some ideas. Below you'll find some tests you can conduct at home, which can help you better distinguish between real and fake pearls without having prior knowledge. After that, we talk briefly about the professional testing methods, which are more reliable, but also more expensive. Finally, we'll be giving you some expert tips and bonus instructions on how to care for natural pearls.
What to look for?
Temperature and Weight
Unlike imitation pearls, real ones are pretty cool to the touch. While fake pearls tend to warm up quite fast as they sit against your skin, natural pearls usually take some time to do that. Moreover, natural pearls have a dense, heavy feeling.
Surface and Shape
Examine the surface with a good magnifying glass. Real pearls (unless those of a really, really high quality) show shape irregularities and small imperfections: tiny ridges, pits, slight blemishes. Fake pearls are always flawless, having perfectly smooth surfaces, perfectly circular form and perfect luster. Look carefully around the drill holes, if there are any — fake pearls usually have visible paint flaking.
Uniformity
Do the pearls in the strand all look exactly the same? We're talking the exact same size, color, shape and luster. If they do, but they also have no visible irregularities and are very light, they are not real.
Sound
Apart from being heavier than fake pearls, natural ones produce a soft, solid sound when tapped together. Plastic ones, however, often sound hollow or sharp.
Professional Tests
When the at-home methods leave doubts, it is best turn to experts. These more advanced methods give reliable validation without risk, especially if we're talking about potentially very expensive pearls.
Gemological Lab Testing
This is a standart test, done by professionals. Using microscopy, experts are able to see different nacre layers.
UV Light / Fluorescence Tests
UV rays have a special place in the world of gemology. Different pearls (including fake ones, too) show different reactions under ultraviolet light, which can help distinguish authenticity.
X-Ray Imaging
Even though it's rarely done because it is expensive, x-ray imaging might be used by high-end gem experts who want to see inside the pearls in order to confirm whether they contain solid bead cores.
Because tests are done using professional gemological equipment, they are able to give unmistaken results. They are often conducted on pearls that have not been drilled, have a perfect shape, luster and no visible defects, and therefore all the previous tests have proved insufficient. Howeverm, here the question is not whether the pearl is plastic or real, but rather, whether it is cultured or wild. Because while a single cultured pearl may cost a few dollars at most, wild saltwater pearls are often worth thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars.
What to Avoid: "Tests" That Can Damage Pearls
If you're new to this topic, you may be eager to find out the truth about your pearls faster and therefore read about some "hacks" online that promise to give you the expert knowledge in a few seconds. However, some "tests" are risky (apart from being ineffective) and should not be conducted. One such test is the "grit-against-tooth-test". Unfortunately, many people think that "gently" rubbing a pearl against the edge of your front tooth will show you if it is real or not. Needless to say, there is no such thing as "gentle" rubbing, because pearls are organic and very delicate. It is not a coincidence that we talk so much about storing your pearls in a different place, so that they do not scratch while touching another piece of jewelry. In fact, you can read more about properly caring for your jewelry in our specially dedicated blog post.
Why All This is Helpful
Being able to distinguish real pearls from fake ones has many advantages. One of them is knowing when you're overpaying for imitation pieces, but it's not just that. Knowing the difference between real and fake pearls:
you will be able to preserve sentimental or heirloom pieces by treating them correctly
you will be able to maintain integrity and value of genuine pearls
you will be able to support ethical sourcing, because when you buy what’s real, you encourage transparency from sellers.
Natural Pearl Care
Now you know that natural pearls are organic and fragile. They grow layer by layer in mollusks, and their surface (nacre) is what gives them that soft iridescence. Because of that:
Always store pearls separately in order to avoid scratches. Use soft pouches or cloth lined boxes.
Wipe gently after wearing: skin oils, sunscreen, perfume and cosmetics all degrade nacre. Use a soft damp cloth to moisture your pearls periodically. Never soake.
Never use chemical cleaners on pearls — they can degrade or dissolve the nacre.
Restrict exposure: avoid strong sunlight, extreme humidity, chlorine, or sweat for prolonged periods.
Avoid dryness too: pearls need a bit of moisture from the environment and skin to keep nacre healthy.
Restring periodically: if pearls are strung on thread, periodic restringing prevents strain on the thread, reduces rubbing, and helps maintain structure. It is better to have your pearl necklaces resting horizontally, instead of hanging vertically.
Summary
If you have a pearl piece and wonder if it’s real, try combining several at-home tests: inspect the surface and around drill holes, weigh in your hand, observe shape irregularities, and check how it feels temperature-wise. If you're naturally detail-oriented, this will be an easy task for you. If you have done all the and still remain unsure, bring it to a trusted jeweler or gem expert who can use their professional tools to determine the authenthicity.
Once you know your pearls are real, please treat them with care. It took a long time and effort for them to grow and you should be consice of that. It means avoiding harsh chemicals, storing thoughtfully, cleaning lightly and frequently, and respecting their natural fragility. That way, your pearls will glow softly, telling their story for years to come.