Learn About Pearls
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My girlfriend said she wants "real" pearl jewelry for our anniversary. What does she mean?
Although there are many ways to categorize pearls, for the purpose of answering this question, I will say that there are four sources of pearls. The term “real pearl” can apply to either a natural pearl or a cultured pearl; both of these are recognized as real gemstones. Organic Pearls and Semi-Cultured Pearls are NOT real. See below.
- A natural pearl comes from an oyster (saltwater) or a mussel (freshwater), with no human intervention. This is the rarest and generally most expensive type of pearl.
- A cultured pearl also comes from an oyster or a mussel, but it is made by the insertion of some sort of irritant or small bead into the oyster/mussel and waiting a number of years, dependent on the type size and quality of pearl. In most cases, high quality cultured pearls are indistinguishable from a natural pearl except through an x-ray.
- Organic pearls are not pearls at all; they are man-made from organic materials such as mother-of-pearl, coral or conch. Organic pearls lose luster over time and lack the same weight and texture as real pearls.
- Imitation pearls. Although organic pearls are imitation pearls, I categorized them separately because the name makes them sound “real” or “natural”. There are also imitation pearls which are made from glass or plastic dipped in powder from fish scales and coated in laquer. The luster is only on the surface; it is lost very rapidly. Imitation pearls are also not the same weight and texture as a real pearl.
How can I tell if a pearl is a fake?
If the shallowness of the luster and the weight is not enough to be sure, you can use the “tooth test”. You lightly rub the pearl against the front of your top teeth. If it feels smooth, then it is a fake; if it feels a little sandy/gritty, then it is a “real pearl”. X-rays will also show a fake pearl.