Pearls can be identified at home by examining the surface and lustre. A real pearl will have some bumps or ridges on its surface, while a fake pearl will be perfectly smooth. In addition, a real pearl will have a luminescent sheen when held up to the light, while a fake pearl may appear dull or plastic-like.
The pearl tooth test involves taking a pearl and rubbing it along the biting edge of your teeth. If the pearl is natural, it should feel gritty. A fake pearl will feel slippery and smooth. Some fake pearls will not even massage because they have been created using glass or synthetic materials.
Fake pearls only shine on their surface and their luster has no depth. Uniformity: A fake pearl necklace, for example, will have pearls that are all the same size and perfectly spherical. In addition, they won't have any blemishes or imperfections when examined very closely.
The qualities that determine the overall value of a natural or cultured pearl or a piece of pearl jewelry are size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and—for jewelry with two or more pearls—matching.
The lip determines the pearl color. While the white pearls are also priced by jewelers, the gold pearl variety is the most coveted color. The gold South sea pearl's color can range from creamy white to deep gold, and the darker the color, the more expensive it becomes.
Gold Pearls
One of the largest and rarest pearls found around the world is Gold in color. They are Golden South Sea pearls, cultured in the Philippine Islands.
Synthetic pearls are usually either coated plastic, glass or crystal beads, and generally are visually perfect with very little to no variation in shape, size, luster or color/overtone.
Under a black light, faux pearls will often emit a consistent milky, bluish-white glow. This uniformity in color is a key indicator that the pearls are not authentic. On the other hand, real pearls will exhibit variations in color intensity from pearl to pearl when viewed under a black light.
Genuine pearls are shinier than fake pearls. You can measure shine in luster, which is the intensity and softness of a pearl's surface, it generally has to do with how bright and clear a pearl looks. Natural pearls have more shine than artificial ones because they're made from natural materials.
Real pearls vary in weight depending on size and type. Generally, they are light but range from 0.5 to 6 grams. Akoya, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls are heavier than freshwater pearls. Larger pearls will also be heavier than smaller ones of the same type.
The luster of natural pearls tends to be deeper although more subtle than the high-gloss luster of cultured pearls. They are also typically more organic in shape, meaning they may not be as perfectly round when compared to cultured pearls.
Some of you may be concerned that if their pearls turn yellow, this indicates that they are fake. Contrary to popular belief, imitation pearls very rarely turn yellow due to their composition of plastic and ceramic. Pearls that begin to yellow indicate that they are organic and subject to change.
Due to their rarity and the difficulty of collecting them, they were considered more valuable than gold. The value of pearls depends on many aspects, such as: size, shape, color, luster, surface smoothness, transparency, and if you buy more – their price is also influenced by the fit and similarity of each piece.
Not just because of the unique color, size, shape, and place of origin, but also accounting for the fact that these gems are made by living oysters. The price of a pearl now averages between $300-1,500, and there are a few factors to consider when questioning both quality and value.
(Be aware that water can remove the top layer of imitation pearls). Put pearls on last. Perfume and body lotion can affect a pearl's luster; make sure you apply them before you don your pearls. If you wear pearls regularly, have them checked by a jeweler every six months to a year.
The Vinegar Test
A real pearl will dissolve in vinegar or show erosion where the vinegar drop meets its surface. This is because of the chemical reaction between the acid in the vinegar and calcium carbonate, the primary chemical that a real pearl is made of.
Both natural and cultured pearl jewelry can be valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars; but only natural pearls are fetching multi-million-dollar price tags at auction. Here's a look at some of the most expensive pearls in the world …
Although fake pearls are typically very smooth and artificially perfect, a real pearl may often have irregularities such as pits, chips, bumps and scratches on its surface. Both natural and cultured pearls are formed by a mussel or oyster over months and even years.
Perhaps the best-loved gems of all time, pearls—both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colors. The most familiar colors are white and cream (a light yellowish brown). Black, gray, and silver are also fairly common, but the palette of pearl colors extends to every hue.
Unfortunately, because pearls are delicately formed layers of calcium, they can flake if they're damaged. To prevent your precious pearls from peeling, keep them away from harsh chemicals or cosmetics and don't allow the pearls to rub against each other.
Akoya pearls are the preeminent cultured pearls. They are the pearls that the Mikimoto brand popularized. Prized by royalty and pearl connoisseurs for centuries, Akoya pearls have long been coveted for their perfectly round shape, richness, and deep luster.
Essentially the better a pearl scores for these 7 standards the higher in value it is and the more complex it was to produce. Some of the world's most expensive pearls are so notoriously difficult to successfully produce and harvest that they are 'rarer than gold'.
Fine Japanese Akoya Pearls
Perfectly round, beautifully matched, with a mirror like luster – Japanese Akoya pearls can't be matched for quality and high-end appeal. This is the classic pearl necklace.