Real Pearls vs Fake Pearls: Tips on Spotting the Difference
Purchasing Real Pearls
Tip 1: Beware the perfect pearl.
When pearls were first worn as jewelry, they were incredibly rare, because they were only found by divers in deep waters from oysters and clams that lived wild in the water. Today, pearls are generally cultured and grown purposely, making them much less rare and much easier to harvest. That said, a perfect, round pearl is still extremely rare and comes at a high cost. So when you are shopping pearls, if they are a low price, and look too good to be true, they probably are. Glass and plastic pearls are still widely used since they can be perfectly shaped without the need to rely on nature.
There are generally two classifications of cultured pearl - Freshwater (grown in rivers and lakes) and those grown in salt water, such as the Akoya. Freshwater pearls are more common because they are more durable and less expensive.
If real pearls are what you are after, look for variations in shape and small markings to confirm if the pearls are real or not. Creating differences in fake pearls would be too costly to make it worth it, so fake pearls will most likely be perfectly consistent. The main pearl that may be imitation and also irregular is a baroque pearl which is prized for its unusual shape.
The below image features our 14K Gold Charmed Pearl Necklace with freshwater semi-round pearls and a pink Baroque pearl charm.
Tip 2: Consider how they feel (pearls as well as people).
To me, real pearls will always have a better energy than fake pearls, but there are also measurable differences in how each feels physically. Imitation pearls will generally be lighter in weight, especially if they are plastic. Real pearls have natural weight created by layers of nacre that form their shape. Fake pearls will also tend to be room temperature, while natural pearls are first cool to the touch, then warm up to match your body temperature. Another factor can be the luster. Real pearls have a warm, natural look, while fake pearls can look glassy or shiny. The most common area that you can determine a real vs fake pearl is at the drilled hole. Many times, fake pearls will have paint buildup or chips at the hole where you can see a base layer underneath. Real pearls will have a smooth finish or you'll be able to see layers, if there is any chipping.
The below image features our Selene Pearl Necklace. You can see the beautiful, natural glow emanating from each pearl in various degrees of light.
Tip 3: How are they treated?
Real pearls will generally be set with extra protection, since they are a soft stone. For example, all of our pearl string necklaces are knotted by hand on 100% silk thread. Nylon is also a common material for pearl knotting, but we prefer to use natural fibers. The knots between each pearl will protect the pearls from rubbing against each other and creating damage. Imitation pearls do not need the same protection or care, and as knotting is a time consuming process, it is not worth the cost for imitation pearls.
Another benefit to knotting pearls is that if the strand were to break, the pearls would not go flying everywhere. The remaining knots keep them firmly in place and a jeweler could re-knot them for you.
The below image features our Pink Reis Pearl Necklace and is made using pink dyed thread to match.
