In today's ever-evolving technological world, the problem of adulteration of authenticity in the pearl market is becoming more and more prominent, and choosing a genuine pearl has become a problem for many people. However, with some key selection methods, you can increase the accuracy of judging the authenticity of pearls. Below we have compiled some tips for your reference.
First, the simplest and most direct method is to feel the pearl. Real pearls usually have a high sense of texture and weight. When you touch it with your hand, it will have a cool feeling. Fake pearls, on the other hand, feel warm and sticky when you touch them with your fingers. And the weight of fake pearls made of plastic will be lighter, while those made of glass will be heavier.
Second, observe the shape and surface of the pearl. Virtually every pearl has its own uniqueness. Real pearls tend to have a certain degree of irregularity, while fake pearls are very uniform and regular. In addition, the surface of a real pearl may have tiny bumps and textures, while a fake pearl is very smooth and round looking.
Thirdly, real pearls have a unique luster that reflects a soft and warm glow. Pick up a pearl and observe its luster; the luster of a real pearl is usually brighter and layered, whereas the luster of a fake pearl may appear one-dimensional or slightly plastic. A quick trick to recognize real pearls is to observe the reflective ability of real pearls, while imitations have no reflective ability.
Fourth, bite the pearl gently with your teeth. The surface of a real pearl will feel rough, similar to the texture of sandpaper, while fake pearls tend to be smoother. This is because the surface of the real pearl has tiny lines, the way it grows determines that it cannot be absolutely smooth, and you can generally feel these lines with your teeth.
Fifthly, pearls on the market are confusing, so when purchasing pearls check the surface carefully, especially around the drilled holes. If you notice any peeling of the paint around the drilled holes, it is a fake.
Sixth, perform a drop and bounce test. Gently drop the pearl from a height of about two feet and observe how it bounces. Genuine pearls are more resilient and will bounce at least a foot high, while fake pearls may bounce lower or have no noticeable bounce.
Seventh, the rubbing test. Put two real pearls together and rub them together, or gently scrape the surface of the pearls with a knife, and they will produce tiny powders. While rubbing between fake pearls will not produce powder and is smoother.
Eighth, collision test. Gently bump two real pearls against each other. Real pearls will make a soft and distinctive sound, while the sound of fake pearls is very slight.
Ninth, flame test. With the fire gently burn pearls, real pearls will remain shiny and intact under the flame, in the combustion process will not produce a strange odor, but not too long. Fake pearls will develop an odor and quickly lose their luster when exposed to open flames. This is a reliable method that everyone can learn.
Tenth, the acetone test. The pearls are gently rubbed with acetone solution. Real pearls are not affected by the solution, while fake pearls may be corroded or damaged by acetone. And real pearls have a relative density of 2.73 and are soluble in hydrochloric acid. Fake pearls do not react to hydrochloric acid. This is also a more authentic method.
These methods of testing will hopefully help you to be able to better determine the authenticity of pearls. However, considering the limitations of each test method, it is recommended to seek the help of a professional jewelry appraiser or an experienced jewelry appraiser when purchasing pearls. At the same time, it is also important to choose reputable merchants when purchasing pearls, and purchase pearls with relevant qualification certificates to ensure the authenticity of pearls.
