For generations, pearls have been regarded as a symbol of wealth and power. A pearl is an incredibly unique type of gemstone, the only living gemstone formed within a living creature!
Pearls were in such high demand that they soon became a coveted gem in the market and natural pearls became a rare occurrence. Most of the pearls you will see today have been cultured, i.e., produced within an oyster but with human assistance.
Unfortunately, due to the great demand for these pearls, you will also find some producers offering fake pearls disguised as authentic pearls. Fake pearls are usually made artificially using technology and materials such as glass, alabaster shells, or plastic, but at first look, they may look like real pearls.
So, how to tell if pearls are real or not?
Discover The Top 6 Ways To Tell If A Pear ls Real.
Quick Links:
- Are Real Pearls Heavy?
- What Color Are Real Pearls?
- How To Tell If Pearls Are Real With Vinegar?
- How To Tell If Freshwater Pearls Are Real?
- How To Tell If A Pearl Is Real With Your Teeth?
- What Do Real Pearls Look Like?(6 way to tell if pearls are real)
- How To Tell If Pearls Are Real On YouTube?
- Do Real Pearls Scratch?
- How Much is 1 Pearl Worth?
- What Do Pearls Mean Spiritually?
- Is Mother of Pearl Real Pearl?
1. Are Real Pearls Heavy?
One of the first telltale signs to look for when you examine a pearl is its weight. Real pearls will always lean to the heavier side compared to fake ones.
If you were to hold a real pearl in one hand and a fake pearl in the opposite one, the difference in weight would be pretty apparent. Natural pearls will always feel heavier.
However, be warned that new and sophisticated machinery can also manufacture pearls that weigh nearly as much as natural ones. This also depends on the type of material used for their construction.
While plastic and resin pearls can easily be spotted due to their lightweight material, composite or alabaster shell pearls are harder to identify.
2. What Color Are Real Pearls?
The next thing you should look for is the color of the pearls. Most natural pearls will come in white cream, pink or purple shades, although you may also find champagne, silver, or lavender pearls.
Natural pearls also tend to have a subtle yellow or pink tinge to their color, which is unique to them. This transition is often difficult to manipulate when you create pearls artificially.
If you notice the pearls are crispy white that seems crease cut perfect, it may likely be a fake. A uniform color lacking depth or overtone may prove that the pearl isn't real.
3. How To Tell If Pearls Are Real With Vinegar?
Simply holding the pearls and examining their weight and color doesn't always offer accurate results. You can take your testing to the next level with a pearl vinegar test. Yes, it is precisely what it sounds like. (Warning: this can damage your pearls)
- To perform this test, submerge your pearl in a cup of vinegar and see how it reacts. You can also put a drop of vinegar on the pearl instead of fully submerging it.
- If your pearl is authentic, you’ll notice bubbles starting to appeal on its surface. This is because the acetic acid in vinegar is strongly reactive when exposed to calcium carbonate.
Calcium carbonate is the very same material that makes up real pearls. Therefore if a real pearl is exposed to vinegar, you will surely see some sort of reaction.
It’s important to note that while this test is pretty accurate, it may do considerable damage to your pearls, so if they are a family heirloom, opt for other testing methods.
4.How To Tell If Freshwater Pearls Are Real?
Freshwater pearls are pearls formed inside mussels that live in freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, or ponds. However, they can also be manufactured artificially. To find the difference between a real freshwater pearl and a fake one, you can use the tests we mentioned above.
Look for the color and weight of the pearl in the palm of your hand. You can also move on to the vinegar test if you like. Another thing to look for is the luster of the pearls, one thing fake pearls can hardly imitate.
Natural pearls will seem to shine from within, whereas fake pearls will only have a uniform shine on the surface, likely by polishing the surface.
5.How To Tell If A Pearl Is Real With Your Teeth?
The tooth test is one of the easiest ways to determine if your pearls are real or fake. It's also effortless to perform! All you have to do is take the pearl and gently rub it along the surface of your tooth. Notice what the texture feels like.
If the pearl happens to run over smoothly or is slippery, it has likely been manufactured artificially. On the other hand, if the pearl gives you a gritty surface texture, almost like sandpaper, you have an authentic pearl!
6. What Do Real Pearls Look Like?
6 Easy Ways to Tell If Pearls Are Real
If you are looking for a more straightforward test to perform than dropping your pearls in a cup of vinegar, here’s what you can do:
1. Try feeling the temperature of the pearls; if they are cold to the touch at first before they warm up with contact with your skin, they may be authentic. Fake pearls tend to be the same temperature as your room.
2. The next step is to look for small irregularities; pure pearls have these irregularities. If you are presented with a set of pearls that are identical in color, shape, and size, they may be fake.
3. Try checking the weight of the pearl. As we mentioned earlier, real pearls weigh much heavier than fake ones.
4.Real pearls tend to come in a variety of colors and shades that range from creamy white to light lavender. A set of real pearls is rarely 100% white and will always show some variations in color.
5. It’s not just the color to look out for; you may also notice their sizing. Not all pearls are the same size and vary from one another. Real pearls will always have slight variations in their size.
6.You will also notice the shine or luster on a real pearl rather quickly. This is a sort of bright luster that seems to emit from within the pearl. If the pearl seems dull, it may be fake.
How To Tell If Pearls Are Real On YouTube?
If you are viewing a picture or video of the pearls on screen, as you would from YouTube, how can you tell if the pearls are real or not?
This, of course, is much trickier than performing a test on the pearls firsthand. You can still look out for some telltale signs of a fake pearl. You should notice its color and luster and see how it shines under light. Also, ensure the manufacturers showcase all sides of the pearl closely so you can easily inspect it.
Testing If A Pearls Is Real Or Fake.
Do Real Pearls Scratch?
Pearls can last your family for generations, but they are still one of the softest materials you will find today (for use in the jewelry). This is also why real pearls tend to scratch when they come in contact with a rough or sharp surface.
This is why it is essential to perform your tests with the utmost care, so you don't scratch the surface of your pearls. Sometimes, simple exposure to rough dresses can leave scratches on your pearl!
How Much is 1 Pearl Worth?
On average, the price of any one pearl falls to around $300 to $1500. This large variation is due to variations in the size, color, quality, surface feel, and type of pearl you are purchasing.
Gold color pearls, for instance, are one of the most coveted colors when it comes to pearls and is also one of the most expensive types. Similarly, saltwater pearls tend to be priced higher than freshwater pearls. Saltwater pearls are produced in oysters within saltwater bodies such as the sea.
You will also find that the larger a pearl is, the more its final cost is. The rounder it is, or the more luster its surface has, will also add to its overall value.
What Do Pearls Mean Spiritually?
Spiritually, pearls have always been regarded as representing wisdom gained through time. Many believe that naturally occurring pearls collected from the sea can protect whoever wears them; they also help attract wealth and good luck.
Many also regard pearls as containing healing properties that tend to keep one away from evil and protect one from external threats. Finally, pearls are also seen as a token of love among many cultures hence why they are popularly used in jewelry pieces!
Is Mother of Pearl Real Pearl?
Mother of pearl is made of nacre, the same material that pearls are composed of. However, the mother of pearl is usually made from the thin coating of nacre that adheres to the shell of the mollusk or oyster.
Although they have the same origin and are also considered gemstones, they are two very different products. Mother of pearl is also not found in a spherical shape; instead, it has a flat surface. In many ways, the mother of the pearl differs from what a real pearl is. For these reasons, it is also much cheaper and easier to get your hands on.
There you go, now you know how to tell if a pearl is real?
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