Are you considering purchasing some pearl jewelry? Have a family heirloom that might have real pearls? There are a few visual tests you can do to determine whether what you have is a fake or the ‘real deal’.
1. Look Out For Minor Imperfections!
Real pearls are very rarely ‘perfect’. Typically, you will find that real pearls will have small blemishes or irregularities in their shape. The outer nacre layer may also will reflect differently on different areas of the pearl itself. Imitation pearls however, are almost always a little ‘too perfect’. Their shape is perfectly spherical, have the exact same luster on every part of the surface, and they show little to no indents or imperfections.
2. Check For A Healthy Luster!
Usually, luster is how jewelers describe the type of light reflected from a precious stone. With a good quality pearl, you should have a bright and clear luster that makes them shine when the light hits them. In fact, looking closely, you should even be able to see your own reflection on the pearl’s surface.
3. Check For An Overtone!
A good quality pearl is often prized for their overtones. Overtones refers to the subtle color that is visible on the outer layer when light hits them. Fake pearls will not typically have this overtone effect since it is tricky to duplicate. Thus, if your pearls seem to have a slight shade of color when the light hits it, there is a good chance that it is the real thing. Though there is a wide variety of colors, rose and ivory are typically the most desired.
4. Look Around The Drill Hole!
Pearls that are on a strand or a necklace will typically have holes drilled into them in order for the string to pass through. When examining this hole, you want to look for any signs of chipped paint or coating that occurs when fake pearls rub against each other.
At Heritage Estate Sales, you can rest assured that you will never find us trying to sell you a fake at a ‘real deal’ price. Our professionals are experts in pricing and with ensure that everything is sold at the right price every time. Check out our website today and find out when the next estate sale is coming near you!