How Can I Tell if a Strand of Pearls is Real?

Want to know if you've got the real thing? Rubeither gray or black. These are rare, and as a
the strand across the front of your upper teeth.result, very expensive.
It may sound strange, but real pearls will feelAs you can well imagine, it's a long, tedious
rough or gritty while fake ones will feel smooth.practice to find oysters that have ingested a
This is due to the micropores found on thepiece of sand to produce a pearl. The longer a
genuine article.pearl stays inside an oyster, the larger it
Imitation pearls are usually made by dipping abecomes. Because of this, quality pearls are
glass or plastic bead into a solution of fish scales.considered rare and cost a pretty penny.
The coating is generally fairly thin and will chipFortunately for those who favor this gem, there
over time. Check the pearls for tiny chips orare now farms in which the irritant is deliberately
flakes near the hole drilled through them. If youinjected into the mollusk to produce the pearl.
see chips, chances are your pearls are fake.These pearls are known as cultured.
Try holding the pearls in your hand for a minute.When pearls are made without the benefit of a
Real pearls will feel cold initially, then will warm.mollusk, they're considered man-made. Man-made
Real pearls can be either natural or cultured.pearls are made by using a bit of sand or shell
Natural pearls are formed when a molluskalong with a fish-based product called hermage to
secretes a substance called nacre to coat anact as a substitute for the oyster's mucus. Other
irritant that makes its way inside the animal's shell.synthetic pearls include the "glass" pearl, a bead
Cultured pearls are formed with a little human helppainted with hermage and left to dry and harden.
-- an irritant is purposely introduced into the shellThese pearls have little or no value.
of the animal. You usually need an x-ray or anFreshwater pearls are produced by mussels. As
expert to distinguish between natural and culturedtheir name indicates, these pearls are found in
pearls.rivers and lakes rather than the ocean. Unlike the
Pearls differ from other gemstones in that they'reoyster, the mussel can produce many different
not mined from rock, but rather harvested frompearls at once, sometimes as many as 40 or 50!
mollusks, especially oysters. Clams and musselsThese pearls come in various shapes and sizes.
have been known to produce pearls as well.Pearls are considered classic and elegant. They're
Basically, a pearl is produced when an irritant suchthe first choice for bridal jewelry and have a
as sand gets caught inside the oyster. To protectreputation of looking good with any outfit, even
itself, the oyster secretes a substance akin tothe most casual. They'll also add class and
mucus. This substance builds up around the sandelegance to the most formal wardrobe. If you're
and hardens. The end result is a pearl.considering a purchase of pearls, it's best to do
Natural or South Sea pearls are those made bysome research to find the type of pearl best
mollusks harvested from the ocean. Every nowsuiting your needs and budget.
and then, one of the pearls will be a darker shade,Remember, everyone looks good in pearls!