Real or Fake? 3 easy ways to tells if your pearls are real

/in /by

Do you know how to tell if that old strand of pearls, tucked away in the back of your jewellery box, given to you by  your Great Aunt on your father’s side, are real?

Well, here are three simple (free) ways to check:

  1. JUST LOOK AT THEM
    Yes, powers of observation come into play when deciding whether or not your pearls might be real.  As I mentioned on my pearl information page, each pearl is uniquely made, hence will never have exactly the same color, shape, size and luster.  If your pearl necklace has identical pearls, continue with the next two suggestions as, sadly, they might be imitation pearls.
  2. LISTEN TO THEM
    Yes, I did just say that!  Real versus fake pearls will actually sound different.  Take your pearl necklace and give it a little shake…so that your pearls knock together (don’t fret – if they are real, this will not hurt them in any way).   A necklace or strand of real pearls will have a softer sound whereas the fakes will sound thin or tinny.

    …still not sure?  Try this full-proof method taught to me by my mother!

  3. BITE THEM, WELL…
    …not so much a bite as a rub.  Simply rub the pearls along the front of your teeth (not the edge of your tooth)…if the pearls feel “scratchy” on your teeth, then they are real…if they feel smooth and slide easily across your teeth, they are synthetic.  The scratchy feel comes from the composition of pearl.  A pearl is composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, deposited in concentric layers, which accounts for the “gritty” feeling on your teeth.  It is also the reason why pearls have ridges or striations which are often referred to as imperfections or, as I prefer to call them, unique markings.

    Still not sure?  I would recommend taking them to a jewellers.  There are other techniques that involve scraping and burning but, these can cause harm to the pearl (real or fake), whereas a jeweller will most likely have a pearl microscope to aid in the determination of its status.

    *Freshwater pearls, which come naturally in three colours (white, peach and purple), are often treated with organic dyes to allow for more colour choices.  For the most part, you will still be able to feel that “gritty” sensation on your teeth with these organic dyes; however, I have come across dyes that seem to have “coated” the pearl to the point of removing that “scratchy” feel.  These pearls are real but the manufacturer has over-dyed/coated the pearl.

I hope these suggestions will help you in determining whether or not those Great Aunt Ina’s pearls are real!

Alison

Owner & Designer