Pearl Identification

When you are buying pearls it is vital that you are able to tell the difference between natural, cultured and imitation pearls. You need to be aware that the majority of pearls available on the market today in jewelry stores are cultured pearls, since natural pearls are extremely rare and highly expensive.

There are some methods you can use to tell the difference between imitation pearls and real pearls. First, when rubbing two real pearls together, it will feel rough due to the layers of nacre and will often result in a fine powder. On the other hand, rubbing two imitation pearls together will result in a slippery feeling with absolutely no residue.

Another way to tell the difference is by lightly running your teeth across the surface of the pearl. An imitation pearl will feel smooth, while real pearls have a gritty texture due to the construction of the nacre at a cellular level.

A magnifying glass will also reveal that real pearls have a slightly rough surface whereas imitation pearls will have a perfectly smooth, flawless surface. Another extreme measure is to cut a pearl open which will reveal whether or not it is made up of layers of nacre.

Of course, if you are still uncertain and would prefer not to cut the pearl, you can take it to be x-rayed by an independent gemologist. Even though the procedure can be expensive, it can be worth it simply for the peace of mind. Additionally, if you are buying real pearls you are probably going to be paying a fair penny for them anyway and a little security is a good idea.