Pearls have long captivated human hearts for centuries. Their organic beauty and deep symbolism to life and the ocean make them unlike any other gemstone. But with the rise of fast fashion and imitation jewelry, people have wondered the same question:
How can you tell if pearls are real or fake?
Whether you are shopping for jewelry or simply curious, this comprehensive blog will teach you exactly how to identify real pearls, understand the difference between natural, cultured, and imitation pearls, and how to avoid common misconceptions.
What Are Real Pearls?
Real pearls are organic gemstones formed inside oysters or mussels. Over time, layers of nacre (a crystalline substance made of calcium carbonate) coat an irritant, thus forming a pearl.
There are two main types of real pearls:
- Natural pearls - these pearls are formed entirely by chance in nature (extremely rare and valuable, prices on these can go well into the hundreds of thousands)
- Cultured pearls - these pearls are formed with some human intervention but are still grown naturally in water over years.
It is still important to note that cultured pearls are still 100% real pearls and are not fake.
Fake pearls, on the other hand, are usually made of glass, shell, or worse, plastic and are simply coated to look like real pearls.
Here Are 7 Simple Tips to Identify Real Pearls
1. The Tooth Test (Most famous pearl test)
This is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to tell if pearls are real. You can start by gently rubbing the pearl against the edge of your tooth.
Real pearls:
- Feel gritty, sandy, or slightly rough
Fake pearls:
- Feel smooth or slippery, like the surface or glass or plastic
The gritty texture comes from the natural layers of the nacre that make up real pearls.
2. Surface Textures: Imperfection is perfection
Real pearls are never perfectly smooth.
Look closely for:
- Small ridges
- Natural dimples
- Subtle unevenness
- Organic growth marks
Fake pearls are usually too smooth, and too flawless. If every pearl in a necklace strand looks exactly the same, it is likely imitation pearls and are mass produced.
3. Luster Test: How light reflects
Luster is actually one of the most important indicators of pearl authenticity. High quality real pearls almost seem to glow softly, especially when placed under natural light.
Real pearls:
- Reflect light with depth and dimension
- Appear luminous, not shiny
- Have a glow that seems to come from within
Fake pearls:
- Reflect light harshly
- Look flat or overly glossy
- Lack depth
4. Weight Test: Real pearls feel heavier
Because real pearls are made of dense nacre from years of natural growth, they tend to feel heavier than fake ones. This test works best when comparing two similar-sized pearls. When you hold up a real pearl, there will be a noticeable weight difference for their size.
5. Shape Test: Nature loves asymmetry
Real pearls are formed naturally, so coming across a perfectly round pearl is rare. Even luxury pearl jewelry embraces natural variation, because that's a part of the beauty.
Real pearls:
- Slightly uneven shapes
- Subtle differences from pearl to pearl
Fake pearls:
- Perfectly round
- Uniform in size and shape
6. Temperature Test: Cold to the touch
Real pearls feel cool when you first touch them and they will slowly warm up. Fake pearls usually feel room-temperature immediately and will always stay that way. This happens because nacre reacts to temperature differently than plastic or glass.
7. Price Test: If it is too cheap, it probably is
While pearls do come in a wide range of prices, real pearls are never bargain basement cheap. High quality pearls reflect years of growth, skilled harvesting, and careful selection. Hence the higher price tag.
Be cautious if:
- A full pearl necklace costs less than fast fashion jewelry
- The seller avoids answering questions about the origin or material of their pearls. (Those who have seen us at in-person art shows know we tell you if asked).
Common Myths About Real Pearls
Myth: "Real pearls have to be perfect because they are so expensive"
- Truth: Real pearls are almost 99.99% of the times never perfect. In fact, imperfection proves authenticity and it is real reason why they can be expensive.
Myth: "Cultured pearls are fake because it is not natural"
- Truth: Most (99%) of the real pearls sold today are cultured pearls. They are real pearls grown naturally on pearl farms with minimal human intervention. Only less than 1% of the real pearls are actually formed in the wild, thus they have a hefty price tag if sold.
Myth: "All real pearls are white"
- Truth: Real pearls are never actually white, they can come in different shades of white, such as cream or beige. Other common colors they can come in are blush, pink/purple, silver, black, gold, and other deep natural hues. Checkout our selection of the pink/purple pearls.
When determining whether pearls are real or fake, always trust your touch, your eyes, and your intuition. Real pearls feel alive. They carry texture and luster, something no imitation can truly capture, because nature is beautiful.