{"id":4954,"date":"2016-05-20T09:33:28","date_gmt":"2016-05-20T09:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pearlsonly.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4954"},"modified":"2025-05-05T23:16:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T05:16:50","slug":"how-to-identify-real-pearls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pearlsonly.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-identify-real-pearls\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7-Step Check-up Technique: How to Identify Real Pearls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not many jewellery pieces confer that distinctive note of elegance that pearls are renowned for. Real pearls<\/strong> are coveted organic gems desired by women worldwide. Pure grains of beauty, pearls have charmed generation after generation for centuries.<\/p>\n

Their seductive charm extends through centuries of history, casting a long-lasting spell on anyone who has ever set eyes on a real pearl necklace<\/a>. What of fake pearls, otherwise dubbed faux pearls, synthetic pearls or semi-cultured pearls?<\/p>\n

While they may be perfect lookalikes, faux pearls are far less valuable<\/strong>. The gentle, warm lustre of real pearls is lost on fake pearls. The lustre of pearls is just one of the factors that set the organic gems apart from their less alluring lookalikes.<\/p>\n

We’ve created the step-by-step guide to help you set apart real pearls from faux pearls. \u2018A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls\u2019, said Coco Channel. Find more about the step-by-step technique to identifying real pearls<\/strong> and create your own heirloom collection of ropes and ropes of pearls. Don\u2019t overlook taking proper care of your pearls<\/a> if you wish them to stay in your family for generations.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Brief Introduction<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. How to Identify a Real Pearl<\/strong>\n
      \n
    1. Temperature<\/li>\n
    2. Surface Characteristics & Lustre<\/li>\n
    3. Colour<\/li>\n
    4. Shape<\/li>\n
    5. Surface Feel<\/li>\n
    6. Drill Holes<\/li>\n
    7. Weight<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    8. Pearl Types<\/strong>\n
        \n
      1. Freshwater Pearls<\/li>\n
      2. Saltwater Pearls<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      3. Cultured vs. Natural Pearls<\/strong><\/li>\n
      4. Real Pearl Value<\/strong>\n
          \n
        1. Colour<\/li>\n
        2. Shape, Size, Lustre, Matching<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
        3. Conclusion<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          1. Brief Introduction<\/span><\/h1>\n

          \"Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n

          Our guide will walk you through the distinctive qualities of real pearls, whether natural or cultured. You\u2019ll find on-the-spot details on pearl properties that really make these organic gems so special.<\/p>\n

          The following section is a go-to concise guide on the exquisite pearl types available on the market today. Read on to find out more about the differences between cultured and natural pearls. Use this knowledge to gain valuable insight on the real worth and value of pearls.<\/p>\n

          These fascinating timeless gems are a worthwhile investment for the elegant woman with a penchant for feminine, luxurious jewellery. If you ever wondered how one pearl necklace can cost \u00a310,000<\/strong> while a strikingly similar one costs \u00a340,<\/strong> then this step-by-step guide is for you. Find out what a real pearl should look like, feel like and what its worth is.<\/p>\n

          2. How to Identify a Real Pearl<\/span><\/h1>\n

          Are you the proud owner of a family heirloom made of pearls? Were you charmed by a pearl strand that you wish to buy? Here\u2019s the complete guide to assessing the value of pearls and making the difference between fake pearls and the real deal in just a few quick steps.<\/p>\n

          2.1. TEMPERATURE<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          The first contact you have with pearls can be a telltale sign of whether they are real pearls or faux pearls. Temperature is the first key indicator of the authenticity of these gorgeous gems.<\/p>\n

          Keep in mind that real pearls will feel cold at first contact with the skin. Soon after, they will borrow your body\u2019s temperature and gradually warm up. That gentle warm feeling is a key sign that your pearls are real.<\/p>\n

          Glass pearls \u2013 a variety of fake pearls \u2013 have the same cold feeling at first. Nevertheless, the lower temperature persists for longer even when worn against the skin. Plastic pearls are the easiest to spot as fakes. They will maintain room temperature. As such, the pleasant cool feeling of real pearls lacks entirely when it comes to a fake pearl necklace for instance.<\/p>\n

          \"2.<\/p>\n

          2.2.\u00a0SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS & LUSTRE<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          This may sound counter-intuitive. However, you should know that minor imperfections, dents or irregularities on a pearl\u2019s surface are in fact a good sign. Natural or cultured pearls grow in natural environments where they are exposed to a variety of environmental conditions.<\/p>\n

          These shape up the pearl in unique ways, even if we talk about cultured pearls. Thus, if your pearl strand is made of pearls that have the exact same size, shine, roundness and perfectly polished surface, chances are it\u2019s not a real pearl necklace.<\/p>\n

          It\u2019s the tiny imperfections that make the difference between real pearls and faux pearls. We will discuss pearl colour soon. Nonetheless, you need to know that as far as a real pearl bracelet is concerned, real pearls will never be the exact same colour even if they come from the same batch.<\/p>\n

          Be on the lookout for the tiny imperfections and mismatches that confer real pearls their charm and take a moment to check the pearls\u2019 lustre. The deep shine of pearls is called lustre. When light is reflected by the calcium carbonate crystals that make up the pearl, it creates the lustre.<\/p>\n

          Fake pearls have an unnatural, almost glassy lustre. The glamourous, gentle and toned down lustre of real pearls is incomparably more luxurious. The nacre of the pearl and the lustre of the pearl are two more key indicators for the organic gem\u2019s authenticity.<\/p>\n

          2.3. COLOUR<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          The colour test isn’t the most accurate way to assess whether your pearls are the real deal or not, but it provides valuable insight. The colour of a pearl is termed body colour. You have surely spotted gorgeous black pearls or gold pearls during your pearl hunts.<\/p>\n

          Well, such body colours are met with real pearls too. White is the most common and most desirable body colour of pearls. Creamy pearls, yellow, silver, pink, black or golden pearls follow closely. However, the most important thing to look at is the colour overtone.<\/p>\n

          \"Pearl<\/p>\n

          When light is reflected off the surface of the pearl, you should catch a glimpse of a distinctive overtone. Typically rose (in the case of white pearls) or green (in the case of black pearls), the colour overtone is remarkably tricky to imitate.<\/p>\n

          This translucent colour on the pearl surface confers depth to the gem. While not infallible, colour and the colour overtone can stand between real pearls and fake ones.<\/p>\n

          2.4.\u00a0SHAPE<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          A pearl\u2019s shape is by far one of the most telling clues as to the gem\u2019s authenticity. Take a good look at a pearl\u2019s shape and you may have the answer to the \u2018How to tell real pearls from fake ones?\u2019 question.<\/p>\n

          Popular culture has constructed this image of pearls where each of the gems should be a perfect sphere. It couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. Freshwater pearls have a uniquely baroque look. Imperfect as they are, these pearls are the ideal choice when you\u2019re looking for affordable yet beautiful real pearls.<\/p>\n

          As for other pearl types, a perfect shape may signal that they\u2019re fake. A perfectly rounded, perfectly smoothed pearl without any imperfections, asperities and which lacks depth is almost certainly not real.<\/p>\n

          \"real<\/p>\n

          2.5.\u00a0SURFACE FEEL<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          Step number five in our step-by-step guide on how to identify real pearls is a long-standing method to test if your pearls are the real deal: the tooth test.<\/p>\n

          As pearls are organic gems made of layer after layer of crystalline structures adding to the pearls\u2019 nacre, it\u2019s only natural that they should feel a bit gritty. Choose your pearls and rub one against a tooth.<\/p>\n

          If the surface feels gritty<\/a> \u2013 much like sand grains \u2013 the pearl is real. This distinctive trait is difficult to imitate. Thus, faux pearls will always have a perfectly smooth surface feeling to them.<\/p>\n

          2.6.DRILL HOLES<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          When it comes to pearls, appearance is everything. The most renowned jewellers can tell the difference between synthetic pearls and real pearls in a few minutes. To the untrained eye, a craftily made faux pearl strand a real pearl strand may look the same.<\/p>\n

          \"real

          Image courtesy of Lindsa’s Art Barn<\/p><\/div>\n

          This is why you need to take a look-under-the-hood approach. Drill holes are quite telling. Specific things to look for include:<\/p>\n