The tooth test is to rub the pearls against the backside of your front teeth. Generally, gritty = real pearls, smooth = simulated. Once you've done that test, look at the pearls themselves. Real pearls generally have some imperfections (known as spotting). Look for the spotting along with subtle variances in color and luster.
Next, look with magnification inside the pearls through the drill holes. Akoya cultured pearls are farmed with a shell bead that is inserted into the mollusk along with some mantle tissue from a sacrifice mollusk. You should be able to see the bead with a substantial amount of nacre deposited on it from the mollusk. Note also that cultured pearls tend to be drilled through some spotting if there is any, leaving the better part of the pearl to show. No bead indicates likely freshwater pearls (which have no bead nucleus), simulated pearls, or natural pearls (WHICH ARE VERY RARE).
Based just on the photos and the varying shape of the pearls, it appears to me you have a strand of Akoya cultured pearls...but one can't really tell from photos alone.
I think I would agree with Saints, they looks slighty off round here and there, older faux pearls are very round usually. You could look closely at the drill holes, faux pearls start to show wear there, the fake nacre starts to peel off.
The knotting between each one is a good sign. Of course, glass pearls are sometimes knotted and they can also have decent value. Once you've felt the grit of a real pearl on your tooth, you'll understand why that's a good test. Glass pearls will feel slippery and they can have some weight. Hopefully, treasureislandpearls will stop in and add to this thread. Nice looking strand, either way.
Definitely look like they may be the real thing due to the assorted shapes of each pearl. Is the clasp marked? Sometimes the hook part is marked. And like Sarah said, rub them gently across your bottom teeth, should have a gritty texture.
Thanks Sarah and saints, I tried the tooth test but not really sure what it's supposed to feel like. There are minute differences in the shape, not perfectly round at least not to my eyes. The slide in part of the clasp is plated and shows wear, but no marks anywhere. Probably just faux pearls.
idealgems1
·2 years agoThe tooth test is to rub the pearls against the backside of your front teeth. Generally, gritty = real pearls, smooth = simulated. Once you've done that test, look at the pearls themselves. Real pearls generally have some imperfections (known as spotting). Look for the spotting along with subtle variances in color and luster.
Next, look with magnification inside the pearls through the drill holes. Akoya cultured pearls are farmed with a shell bead that is inserted into the mollusk along with some mantle tissue from a sacrifice mollusk. You should be able to see the bead with a substantial amount of nacre deposited on it from the mollusk. Note also that cultured pearls tend to be drilled through some spotting if there is any, leaving the better part of the pearl to show. No bead indicates likely freshwater pearls (which have no bead nucleus), simulated pearls, or natural pearls (WHICH ARE VERY RARE).
Based just on the photos and the varying shape of the pearls, it appears to me you have a strand of Akoya cultured pearls...but one can't really tell from photos alone.
dimakr7
OP2 years agoThanks ideal, I didn't know any of that. I can see how it needs to be in hand to tell what it is. Thanks for your help.
treasureislandpearls
·2 years agoI think I would agree with Saints, they looks slighty off round here and there, older faux pearls are very round usually. You could look closely at the drill holes, faux pearls start to show wear there, the fake nacre starts to peel off.
1940fc
·2 years agoI`m curious as to how the 3 pearls in the clasp are set? If glued in..would they glue real pearls?
dimakr7
OP2 years agotreasure, thanks for looking. I'll check all the drill holes.
Sarah, the pearls are glued as are 7 tiny rhinestones, thanks.
dream*peddler
·2 years agoThe knotting between each one is a good sign. Of course, glass pearls are sometimes knotted and they can also have decent value. Once you've felt the grit of a real pearl on your tooth, you'll understand why that's a good test. Glass pearls will feel slippery and they can have some weight. Hopefully, treasureislandpearls will stop in and add to this thread. Nice looking strand, either way.
dimakr7
OP2 years agoThanks dream, appreciate the info.
saintsantiques
·2 years agoDefinitely look like they may be the real thing due to the assorted shapes of each pearl. Is the clasp marked? Sometimes the hook part is marked. And like Sarah said, rub them gently across your bottom teeth, should have a gritty texture.
dimakr7
OP2 years agoThanks Sarah and saints, I tried the tooth test but not really sure what it's supposed to feel like. There are minute differences in the shape, not perfectly round at least not to my eyes. The slide in part of the clasp is plated and shows wear, but no marks anywhere. Probably just faux pearls.
1940fc
·2 years agoSorry, Larry..pearls have never been my thing.
All I know to do is rub em across my teeth to see if real & that only happened one time lol