To tell if a pearl is antique (real), check for gritty texture with the tooth test, irregularities/blemishes under magnification, a cool-to-the-touch feel that warms up, a deep luster with overtones, and weighty density; antique pearls often have imperfect shapes, slight wear at drill holes, and subtle differences in luster, unlike smooth, uniform, or lightweight fakes.
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.
In water, pearls do not float.
Imitation pearls might have a magnetic core, but genuine pearls are made from organic material that does not respond to magnets.
Here are a few quick tests to tell if a “natural” pearl is in fact cultured pearl: Look at the surface of your pearl. Does it have a distinctive line? If it does, it's likely cultured.
The most expensive pearl colors are often deep, rich hues like Golden South Sea (especially 24k deep gold), rare Peacock Tahitian (dark green/blue/purple overtones), and intensely pink or pink-overtoned White South Sea pearls, with value heavily depending on rarity, luster, size, and lack of blemishes, rather than just the base color itself. While white and black are common, specific, saturated, and rare overtones within these categories command the highest prices.
Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 for a professional appraisal. Insurance appraisals are generally more expensive because they must be done by a certified gemologist and include a more detailed report.
How Can I Tell What Type Of Pearls I Have? You can identify your pearl type using color, size, quality of luster and overtone. Akoya: perfectly round in shape, typically white with a faint rose overtone, high, mirror-like luster and versatile sizes ranging from 5.0-9.5mm.
How To Tell If Pearls Are Real
Another way to check if your pearls are real is to submerge them in vinegar. If they are real, the pearls will form bubbles due to the chemical reaction of vinegar acid and calcium carbonate which is the primary chemical that a real pearl is made of.
Look for tiny irregularities
When you examine real pearls closely or under magnification, you'll notice tiny irregularities and ridges on each pearl's surface. In a strand of cultured pearls, you can always see very tiny differences between them, even when they are top quality and well matched.
Rub the pearls to check surface feel
Both natural and cultured pearls have textured surface due to their layered nacre structure. So when you rub the pearls lightly against each other or on your front teeth, they feel a little gritty. Fake or imitation pearls, however, usually feel smooth or glassy.
Pearls are counted by hand and then weighed with an electronic micro-balance that captures the weight in grams (mounted or strung), carats (loose), or carats and grains (loose natural). Pearls are measured using special digital calipers.
Cultured pearls exhibit a fluorescent glow due to the materials used in their creation, while natural pearls generally show no reaction under UV light. Purity Testing: Cultured pearls, due to their controlled formation process, often have different impurity levels compared to natural pearls.
The sad reality is that old, second-hand cultured pearls aren't worth a lot. There's no obvious place to sell them and you won't get much from a jeweller or by putting them on eBay. Our advice is to keep them as a memento or give them to someone who'll appreciate them.
So, lets talk about auctions! Some pearls have an astronomical resale value in the auction market. These have included pearls with historical significance, pearls who have belonged to famous people, pearls from unique areas, natural and rare pearls and more.
Yes, when gently rubbed against the edge of your teeth, real pearls feel slightly gritty or rough because of their nacre crystal structure. Fake pearls typically feel completely smooth or glassy against teeth.
Natural Black pearls (uncultivated) are extremely rare and are found in about 1 in every 10,000 oysters. In an effort to preserve the species, it is illegal to dive to find natural pearls.
The value of individual cultured pearls is defined by their size, shape, color, lustre, surface condition, and thickness of nacre.
Friction Tests:
Hold the pearls in your fingers, and gently rub them against each other. A true pearl will create friction with another due to the grainy, imperfect surface. Fakes, on the other hand, will easily glide past each other due to their artificial coatings.
A pearl will not burn or scorch. It also won't give off much of a smell. However, if the imitation pearl is made from glass, wax or plastic, you'll see a scorch mark and it will smell like burning plastic.