Pearls are a timeless trend.
From multi-colored pearl necklaces to freshwater pearl drop earrings, youll see peoplerocking their pearlsin any given season.
Many retailers sell both real and imitation pearl jewelry that looks similar at a glance.
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You also may find yourself with an heirloom necklace or a set of earrings with unknown origins.
Are these pearls actually real, or are they imitation pearls?
There’s nothing wrong with wearing imitation jewelry, but we want to know what we’re working with!
A real pearl will feel gritty, while a fake will be very smooth.
But that’s just one of six methods for figuring out if your favorite pearls are fake.
Below, we ask two jewelry experts for their best tips on how to tell if pearls are real.
If the surface of the pearl feels grainy, then it is real, explains Whitten.
If the surface feels smooth, then it is an imitation.
Observe Their Shape
Look closely at the pearls.
A real pearl is rarely perfectly round.
Synthetic pearls are created to be uniform and identical to each other.
Feel Their Weight
Notice how the pearls feel in your hand.
Pay attention to the weightreal pearls are typically heavier than synthetic ones, particularly if they are plastic.
However, imitation pearlsmade of glasscan be heavier than real pearls.
Check Their Temperature
Real pearls are typically cooler to the touch and will adjust in temperature while worn.
Synthetic pearls typically stay at one temperature, explains Lawler.
Rub Them Together
Rubbing two real pearls together will feel a little gritty, whereas synthetic pearls will not.
Real pearls can also produce a fine powder when rubbed together.
The Difference Between Real Pearls Vs. Real pearls differ from synthetic pearls in a variety of ways.
Synthetic pearls have a much smoother and plastic-like feeling to them, explains Lawler.
Fake pearls can be made of imitation materials such as glass or plastic.
