How to Spot Cultured Pearls

A true pearl results when an oyster secrets a substance to coat an irritant in its shell; the substance is called nacre. When the irritant appears by natural accident, the result is a natural pearl; if inserted by man, the pearl is called a cultured pearl. Both natural and cultured pearls are true pearls. Imitation pearls are made from glass, plastic or shell beads, coated with ground fish scales. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

1

Look at the price tag. Natural pearls are extremely rare; the cost is usually ten times that of cultured pearls. A recent auction of a double strand of 68 natural pearls yielded $7 million. Cultured pearls are much more common; their price can be reasonable. Imitation pearls are usually very inexpensive.

2

Check the shape. Natural pearls are slightly less round than cultured pearls. Cultured pearls aren't perfectly round; they are slightly cylindrical. Imitation pearls are almost perfectly round.

3

Observe the surface. Natural and cultured pearls have a slightly pitted and irregular surface. The nacre's glow goes deep into the pearl. Cultured pearls may have a slight greenish cast in bright light. An imitation pearl is much more regular and has a duller look. There is no deep glow.

4

Feel the pearls. Natural and cultured pearls do not feel perfectly smooth. Rub two pearls together or a single pearl against a tooth; there is a distinct grainy feeling. An imitation pearl feels totally smooth.

5

Examine the drill hole. In a natural or cultured pearl, the drill hole is straight and cylindrical, and the edges of the hole are sharp and well-defined. The drill hole of an imitation pearl is angled out.

6

Go high tech. Have an x-ray made of the pearls. A gemologist or jeweler should be able to distinguish quickly a true pearl from an imitation.