True and false pearl identification method

There are five key points to identify real pearls with the naked eye:

1. Friction: Gently rub two pearls together. Real pearls will feel slightly rough, while fake ones tend to slide smoothly. However, it's generally not recommended to rub pearls directly, as their surface is thin and delicate, which could damage them.

2. Drilling: Check the drilling hole. A genuine pearl will have a clean, well-defined hole, whereas fake pearls often show pigment buildup around the hole.

3. Color: Each natural or cultured pearl has a unique color tone. While they may have a dominant color, there’s usually some variation. In contrast, fake pearls often have a uniform, artificial color. Natural pearls typically come in white, yellow, or black shades, especially those cultivated in France since the 1960s.

4. Cold Feeling: When held in your hand, real pearls feel cool to the touch, while fake ones do not.

5. Shape: Real pearls are naturally formed, so they may not be perfectly round. Fake pearls, on the other hand, are usually machine-made and appear too perfect in shape.

Real pearls have a visible brown bonding line between the mother-of-pearl layer and the outer coating. This line can be clearly seen when looking through the drilled hole.

In nucleated cultured pearls, you can see different bands of transparency inside the pearl. If you place them in a dark area and shine strong light through them, you’ll notice varying light and dark stripes. This feature is absent in natural pearls and non-nucleated cultured pearls.

The surface of real pearls may show small bumps or nodules, especially when rubbed. These features help distinguish real pearls from imitations.

Understanding these characteristics can help you tell the difference between authentic pearls and fakes, whether you're buying jewelry or just learning about pearls. Always examine them carefully and consider consulting an expert if in doubt.