{"id":7077,"date":"2011-04-10T09:19:33","date_gmt":"2011-04-10T13:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/?p=7077"},"modified":"2015-06-12T09:29:55","modified_gmt":"2015-06-12T13:29:55","slug":"tell-a-real-pearl-from-a-fake-pearl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/tell-a-real-pearl-from-a-fake-pearl\/","title":{"rendered":"TELL A REAL PEARL FROM A FAKE PEARL"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"How<\/div>\n

You open your Grandmother’s Jewelry Box and inside is a Beautiful Strand of Pearls<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Real Question is:<\/h2>\n

\nAre the Pearls Real<\/strong>, or are they Fake<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

\nLet’s find out…<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nBelow are 6 Simple (although Not Perfect) Ways to Tell a Fake Pearl from a Real Pearl<\/strong>. Keep in mind there will always be Exceptions <\/strong>and now-a-days they make some really good looking Fakes…<\/p>\n

\nBut at least this is a starting point.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Are the Pearls Double Knotted?<\/h2>\n

\nThe way that the Pearls are strung is a big indicator<\/strong>. Generally Genuine Pearls are knotted in between each and every Pearl just to keep them from rubbing against each other and chipping away at the fine Nacre<\/strong> (outer shell of the Pearl).<\/p>\n

\nImitation Pearls will often have no knots<\/strong>, and are made out of Glass, Plastic or Shell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nIf the spacing between the Pearls and Knots is loose <\/strong>(by normal wear and tear over the years), then it’s a sign that the cord is weak<\/strong> (and often discolored<\/strong>), stretched out and it may even break!<\/strong> If the cord and spaces are wide enough where your pearls slide back and forth between the individual knots, then I would greatly advise getting them restrung<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nSee image below to see a tight Pearl Strand and a worn, loose Pearl Strand Necklace.<\/p>\n

\n\"Tell<\/p>\n

2) Touch the Pearls<\/h2>\n

\nTouch the Pearls. How do they feel? <\/strong>Real Pearls will often feel cool to the touch<\/strong>, while Fake Pearls will be more like room temperature<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3) Pearl Color and Luster<\/h2>\n

\nTake a good long look at your Pearls. Look at the overall Color and Body Tone<\/strong>. Real Pearls will not be perfect in Color (just like people’s skin is different colors on different body parts). Real Pearls will often vary in Color and Consistency<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nFake Pearls are normally more uniform in Tone<\/strong> no matter how you turn the Pearl in the light.<\/p>\n

Pearl Luster<\/h2>\n

\nNow look deeper into the Pearl. Look at the Luster coming from within. A good Pearl with a good Nacre thickness<\/strong> (the thicker the Nacre the better the Luster) will emit a great Luster and Shine<\/strong> (unless your Pearls have dried out from non-use – Pearls absorb oils from the body that helps keep the Pearls Shiny and Lustrous<\/strong> – If your Pearl dries out it will probably look Yellowish and Old).<\/p>\n

\nA Fake Pearl will be almost flat-like in appearance<\/strong> with no life or beauty.<\/p>\n

\nIt’s the Luster that Pearls are known for. That’s the wonderful beauty that everyone seeks.<\/p>\n

4) Look at the Pearl Shape<\/h2>\n

\nRotate the Pearls in your fingers. Are the Pearls perfectly round<\/strong> or are they a little bumpy, uneven or irregular in Symmetry?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nReal Pearls are NOT perfect<\/strong>. After all, they are born in the sea.<\/p>\n

\nGrab a 10x Jewelers Loupe<\/a> and look at the Pearl closely for Bands, Bumps, Ridges, Pits, Flaws and Blemishes.<\/p>\n

\nIf you can see signs of natural growth<\/strong>, then chances are the Pearl is Real!<\/p>\n

5) Rub the Pearls on your Teeth<\/h2>\n

\nThe Tooth Test is one of the most common tests<\/strong> used to distinguish Real Pearls from Fakes.<\/p>\n

\nIf you put the Pearl up against your upper teeth (uppers because they’re more sensitive<\/strong>), and rub them gently back and forth, you’ll be able to feel the difference<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nReal Pearls will feel gritty<\/strong> like sand or sandpaper. Fake Pearls will feel smooth and glassy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nJust know that this test is not the most sanitary test<\/strong>… You never know where those Pearls have been! :)<\/p>\n

6) Check the Drill Holes<\/h2>\n

\nGrabbing the 10x Jewelers Loupe<\/a> again will give you some insight if you look close enough at the Drill Holes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nDrill Holes in Real Pearls are often small and sharp<\/strong> (so they preserve the Pearl Weight and Quality).<\/p>\n

\nLook inside the Drill Hole<\/strong> if you can. Real Pearls will have a dividing line <\/strong>that separates the Nacre from the Nucleus center. This line is usually pretty visible and often dark<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nA Fake Pearl will generally appear lighter inside<\/strong> with a bigger Drill Hole.<\/p>\n

\nDo note that both Real Pearls and Fake Pearls can chip around the Drill Holes<\/strong>. The Nacre can wear away, crack or flake.<\/p>\n

Get your Pearls Checked out!<\/h2>\n

\nA Professional Gemologist<\/strong> or Reputable Jeweler will be able to scope the Pearls<\/strong> and determine their origin <\/strong>if you’re unsure, or if you just want to know their value. A full Evaluation and Appraisal <\/strong>may be necessary.<\/p>\n

\nYou never know, those Pearls could be junk<\/strong>, or they could be worth some good money<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nGetting them insured <\/strong>(if they’re Real and expensive) may also be a good idea.<\/p>\n

\nBecause coming across Fine, Quality Pearls is a gift from the Sea (and your Grandma<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nEven if it is a little gritty! :)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You open your Grandmother’s Jewelry Box and inside is a Beautiful Strand of Pearls. The Real Question is: Are the Pearls Real, or are they Fake? Let’s find out… Below are 6 Simple (although Not [Read More…]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gemstones","category-guides"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7077"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7077\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}