5 Ways to Recognize a Real Pearl
In the realm of jewelry, the pearl is among the most sought-after and ubiquitous gems. While pearl is not a mineral like most other gemstones, it is nonetheless included here because of how it is often used. Pearls, unlike most other gems, don’t need to be cut or polished before being put in jewelry.
They are one of the most often used gemstones in both traditional and contemporary jewelry due to their availability in a wide range of shapes and sizes, as well as their practicality. As far as pearls go, La Peregrina has to be the most well-known in the world. It’s been around for about 500 years and was most recently owned by the actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Pearls are hard, sparkling objects made of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form accumulated in concentric layers in oysters’ soft tissue. Although round pearls are most often used in jewelry, they may also be found in a wide variety of forms in nature. Natural pearls, like snowflakes and fingerprints, are each one-of-a-kind.
Pearling, or the practice of diving for the purpose of collecting pearls, was a widespread vocation in many parts of the globe. Cultivating pearls on cultured farms began in the 19th century in response to the rising demand for pearls and to mitigate the dangers of traditional pearling.
Because of the development of pearl farming, most pearls now come from farms rather than their previously used wild locations. In pearl farms, the process mimics the natural one, and the quality of the pearl might vary based on the location and the oysters.
Due to the high demand for pearls, fake pearls made from cheaper materials and artificial methods are often used in inexpensive jewelry. If you’re wondering how to distinguish between real and fake pearls, read on to learn a few easy at-home methods.
Shape
Although real pearls are often spherical, they are seldom exactly round. The reason for this is that the natural process does not result in a perfectly smooth and symmetrical form. Modern gear ensures that most synthetic pearls sold today are exactly spherical. Yet, a genuine pearl of almost flawless form is worth the most.
Texture
The surface of a natural pearl will always be rough and gritty. Natural pearls with a surface as smooth as a mirror are exceedingly uncommon, and this fact may be used to immediately and easily spot a fake. One alternate way to do this test is by rubbing the pearls against each other softly. A true pearl’s rough surface creates a tiny amount of friction, whereas the smooth surface of a fake pearl allows it to slide easily past each other.
Rolling a natural pearl on a flat surface is a great way to feel its quality. Unlike a genuine pearl, a fake one will roll in a straight path because of its flat surface.
Color and Lustre
High-quality pearls will have a soft hue when illuminated. Pink and ivory overtones are the most sought-after and therefore command the highest prices. This resonant quality is uncommon in imitation pearls.
Pearls of high quality will radiate light with a distinct sheen. As a result, they reflect light and seem brilliant. You may see your reflection in high-quality pearls if you look carefully enough. Because of how similar low-quality genuine pearls and imitation pearls seem in terms of shine, this test is not foolproof.
Weight
Most imitation pearls nowadays are made of plastic. As a result, imitation pearls are now lighter than their genuine counterparts. Carefully bouncing two pearls of about the same size from one palm is an easy way to tell the difference between a fake and a genuine one. The actual pearl is heavier than the imitation, so it will likely bounce less.
Temperature
The temperature of natural pearls is somewhat lower than that of their imitation equivalents. This function can be used to check for real or fake pearls. You may do a quick check by holding a strand of pearls in your hand that you haven’t been wearing. Now, pay close attention to the temperature of the pearls. A genuine pearl will feel colder than your skin for a while after being touched, but a fake pearl will feel around the same temperature right out of the box.
This experiment has one potential drawback. Glass is used in the production of certain imitation pearls, which makes them quite convincing in terms of temperature quality.
Final Thoughts
There are a few easy tests you may do at home to determine the authenticity of a pearl you currently own or are considering purchasing from an unofficial vendor. But, if you want to be confident that the pearls you purchase are authentic, you can always search for pearls and pearl sets from a reputable jewelry store.
