How to Tell if Your Pearls are Real

Have you ever wondered if those hand-me-down pearls you got from Granny are valuable, or if those pearls you bought off of eBay for a great deal are really the "real deal"? Telling if you're pearls are the genuine article does not necessarily require a trip to the appraiser. Here are some simple ways for you to tell if your pearls are real:

1) Temperature: Hold your pearls in your hand. Real pearls will feel cool initially, but will warm as they sit in your palm. Imitations will feel warm from the start.

2) Weight: Real pearls have a nice weight to them. As imitation pearls are often plastic or glass that has been coated in pearly nacre, they will feel lighter and less dense than genuine pearls.

3) Appearance: Imitation pearls have only been coated in pearliness which can chip or flake off, whereas real pearls are layer upon layer of nacre that will not chip. Real pearls are also not perfect. They will likely have some ridges and will show some color variation.

4) Scratch Test: Rub your pearl on some glass. If it is an imitation, the glass will not scratch the surface. A real pearl will be scatched by the glass, and will leave behind a pearly powder. Buff or wipe the powder from this pearl, and you will find there is no damage.