How to Tell if Pearls Are Real or Fake: The Foolproof Guide (2024)

To be able to tell if pearls are real or fake, you must first know some background information about the gemstones. Pearls are gemstones unlike any other, especially considering the fact that they are created by a living creature. The “Queen of Gems” (as pearls are sometimes referred to as) have been treasured by humans for thousands of years, dating as far back as the Roman Empire. That said, many experts argue that the gemstone has never been as popular as it is today. Pearls exude elegance and work phenomenally to complement a variety of different outfits. Throughout the world, high demand exists for the one-of-a-kind gemstone.

Unfortunately, however, one consequence of their popularity has been the rise of fake pearl production. Given advances in the creation of fake pearls, unknowingly buying fake pearls has been a problem that more and more people have had to deal with. In this article, we provide an in-depth guide on how to tell if pearls are real or fake. Before identifying specific ways to do so, we set the context by first giving you details about what defines a pearl as authentic.

Authentic Pearls:Natural and Cultured Pearls

First and foremost, both natural pearls and cultured pearlsare 100% authentic pearls because both are produced by mollusks such as oystersand mussels. The primary difference between these two types of pearls is howthe pearl formation process begins. For natural pearls, a microscopic irritantgets trapped inside the pearl completely by random chance in the wild,prompting the mollusk to begin covering the irritant with nacre and eventually producinga pearl after a few years. For cultured pearls, on the other hand, the irritantis inserted into the mollusk by a pearl cultivator through a delicate incision.

Before the creation of cultured pearls in 1893, naturalpearls were the only option available—making the gemstones both extremely rareand expensive. Only royalty and the elite were able to afford natural pearls. Withthe creation of cultured pearls, the gemstones became more available and as aresult, more affordable.

Pearl farmers tend to the mollusks with great care, makingsure the water conditions are ideal for pearl production and keeping themollusks away from any predators. Today, nearly all new pearl jewelry that issold by retailers features cultured pearls. Natural pearl jewelry, on the otherhand, is often sold as vintage jewelry by premier auction houses such asChristie’s and Sotheby’s. Furthermore, any time a piece of vintage naturalpearl jewelry goes up for auction, its final sale price is usually in themillions. Since the creation of cultured pearls, many countries have placedbans on diving for natural pearls due to the diminishing mollusk populationthat in part has been caused by overfishing.

The Rise of FakePearls

As mentioned earlier, only natural and cultured pearls andconsidered authentic. As the popularity of pearls continued to grow in the 20^thcentury, so did the rise of counterfeit pearls. Most fake pearls that are onthe market today come from China and are made in labs using materials such asplastic and glass. Today, fake pearls come under the disguise of many othernames, including:

• Faux pearls
• Pearl beads
• Man-made pearls
• Synthetic pearls
• Lab-made pearls
• Imitation pearls
• Costume pearls
• Majorica pearls
• Mallorca pearls

It’s often the case that people use fake pearls for arts and crafts projects, knowingly buying these to keep the cost down for a fun DIY project. The primary problem is when fake pearls are advertised, marketed, and sold as authentic pearls without the consumer being aware of it. Consumers pay a hefty amount of money to buy what they believe is authentic pearl jewelry, only to later find that the pearls are in fact fake. What is worse is that in the past decade, fake pearl producers have gotten much better at disguising their pearls as real. To protect consumers against buying fake pearls, next we identify a few different ways to avoid being duped and making sure that the pearl jewelry you want to purchase is authentic.

JEWELRY SPOTLIGHT:
AUTHENTIC LOOSE PEARLS

If you want to make your own pearl jewelry, you don’t have to settle for plastic or glass pearl beads. By using real loose pearls, you’re able to create a piece of jewelry that will not only shine brighter and more vividly, but in addition, last for years to come. In fact, many people who create their own pearl jewelry using real pearls intend for the jewelry to be family heirlooms that are passed down from generation to generation. Loose pearls are available in a variety of different sizes, colors, and price points so you can choose smaller pearls if you want to keep the project more budget-friendly, or select larger pearls if you want to create something truly extravagant.

Differences BetweenReal and Fake Pearls

There are quite a few differences between real and fakepearls. If you understand and look for these subtle distinctions, you’ll be ina better position to confirm the authenticity of pearls.

Below is a list of characteristics that separate real andfake pearls.

• Luster: Fakepearls will have a uniform shine so that all parts of the pearl radiate lightthe same way. Because they are made by mollusks, real pearls have slightimperfections so that the luster isn’t exactly the same on all parts of thepearl. In addition, real pearls have a much deeper luster so that it seemsalmost as though the gem is illuminated from the inside. Fake pearls only shineon their surface and their luster has no depth.
• Uniformity:A fake pearl necklace, for example, will have pearls that are all the samesize and perfectly spherical. In addition, they won’t have any blemishes orimperfections when examined very closely. Real pearls, on the other hand,feature very minuscule imperfections when looked at under a microscope. This iswhat pearl experts call the unofficial steam of authenticity.
• Color andOvertone: In addition to uniformity in size, fake pearls will also beuniform in color. Real pearls, on the other hand, feature very subtledifferences in color, as well as overtones that are also just a sliverdifferent when compared to each other. This is natural, considering every pearlcomes from a different mollusk.
• Weight: Lastly,you can tell real pearls from fake is by feeling their weight. Fake plasticpearls are light when compared to real pearls. That said, counterfeiters haveincreased their level of deceit by making fake pearls from heavier materials(such as glass) to make their weight the same as authentic pearls.

The Pearl Tooth Test

Another really easy way of figuring out the authenticity ofpearls is to do what people refer to as the tooth test. Simply take the pearl,and gently rub it along the surface of your tooth. If the pearls are real,you’ll feel a grittiness similar to sandpaper. In other words, there will be agreat deal of friction. If the pearls are fake, on the other hand, it will feelsmooth as with plastic or glass. Instead of rubbing a pearl on your tooth, youcan also rub them against either to check. Despite the easiness of the pearltooth test, it’s not always the case that you have the pearls in front of you.

JEWELRY SPOTLIGHT:
TIN CUP PEARL JEWELRY

Many people who opt to make their own DIY pearl jewelry simply do so because they have grown tired of traditional pearl strands or pearl studs. If this sounds familiar, consider tin cup pearl jewelry. These jewelry pieces feature charming designs that are extremely fun and refreshing. Tin cup pearl jewelry pieces have a boho-chic feel that gives a new vibrancy to the gemstones, especially compared with more classic pearl jewelry designs. Browse tin cup pearl necklaces and bracelets to find the design that perfectly complements your style.

Buying From a TrustedRetailer

Though buying pearls online may be a little tricky, it’scertainly the most common way that people purchase pearl jewelry today. Buyingonline has many benefits, including being able to see a larger selection ofpearl jewelry, as well as being able to find the best price. While knowing thepearl tooth test and understanding the differences between the different andfake pearls is important, they become less useful when you’re purchasing pearlsonline. That said, there is still a way to make sure you that the pearls you’rebuying online are authentic: buying from a trusted retailer. While this mayseem obvious, it cannot be overstated. Here are some ways to make sure you’re buyingauthentic pearls online:

• AvoideBay! While there are some listings for pearls on the website that areactually authentic, it’s just a lot riskier. Counterfeiters have found new waysto write phony eBay reviews, making them seem like trusted sellers based ontheir rating when they’re really trying to dupe people at paying fake pearls atreal pearl prices.
• Call theretailer and ask questions. A trusted retailer will have a phone numberwritten on their website that you can call and speak with someone. Ask for moreinformation about their pearls. Quality retailers will always provide you withmore information and be able to answer any other questions you may have.
• Are theyaccredited? An authentic pearl retailer will be accredited by manydifferent institutions including the Better Business Bureau, as well asgemstone associations such as the Cultured Pearl Association and the JewelersBoard of Trade. If the retailer is a member of these organizations, it providesthem with added legitimacy.
• Readtheir reviews. Spend some time looking at reviews. The retailer should havetestimonials on their own website, as well as reviews on an independent,third-party website such as Trustpilot.

No one wants to get duped into purchasing a piece of pearljewelry that they later find out is fake. While it may seem like a lot of work tofind and buy authentic pearls, by following the guidelines we’ve provided heremake it simple and easy. By understanding the differences between real and fakepearls, as well as buying from a trusted retailer, you put yourself in aposition to buy a piece of authentic pearl jewelry that you will treasure for alifetime.

At Laguna Pearl, we’ve made it our top priority to provide our clients with the highest-quality cultured pearls at the lowest possible prices. We offer an extensive selection of every type of cultured pearl including Freshwater, Akoya, Hanadama, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls. Throughout the years, we’ve earned a reputation as one of the most trustworthy pearl retailers around by maintaining a high level of quality, professionalism, and service. All of our purchases are backed by a 60-day return policy which allows you to return your pearl jewelry item for a full refund if you are unhappy with it for any reason, no questions asked.

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