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If a woman has a pearl necklace around her neck, how can one tell if they're real pearls or fake pearls?

Question #38863. Asked by greg9570.
Last updated Feb 24 2019.

mochyn
Answer has 4 votes
mochyn
21 year member
1206 replies

Answer has 4 votes.
real pearls come in different shapes and sizes ,fake ones tend to look similar,but real ones are gritty ,fake ones are smooth

link https://www.pearl-lang.com/pages/how-to-identify-real-pearls-from-fake-pearls


Response last updated by gtho4 on Feb 24 2019.
Sep 17 2003, 3:47 PM
Siskin
Answer has 1 vote
Siskin

Answer has 1 vote.
Real pearls feel warm against the skin, whereas the fakes are cold.

mochyn has already mentioned the grittyness of the real thing - a bit difficult if the necklace is around the neck, but if you put a pearl through the teeth it will feel slightly rough - the imposter will be smooth.

Sep 17 2003, 4:28 PM
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sue943
Answer has 7 votes
Currently Best Answer
sue943
24 year member
104 replies avatar

Answer has 7 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
If you are able, bite one (gently, not crunch). Real pearls (and for that count cultured too) are gritty to the teeth regardless of shape, simulated pearls are smooth.

Sep 17 2003, 4:33 PM
lothruin
Answer has 1 vote
lothruin
24 year member
392 replies

Answer has 1 vote.
For the record, cultured pearls ARE real pearls. They are created through a natural process, just like other pearls. It is just that the irritant is planted rather than a natural occurance.

And also for the record, cultured and freshwater are not two separate types of pearls. Freshwater pearls are often cultured and salt water pearls are often not. And, freshwater pearls are every bit as real as oyster pearls, and have, during certain periods, been more sought after than salt-water pearls.

The tooth test is the very best way to tell real from fake in most cases. Natural nacre is slightly rough. Fake pearls are almost always either glass or plastic, usually with a painted or coated surface. Both of these will be smooth. However, if the pearls are on a woman's neck, you might want to ask her before applying this test.

If you aren't given permission, you might instead ask if you can feel the pearls' weight. Of course, this one, without having had real pearls to hold to test against, won't do you much good. But, plastic is too light to be a pearl and glass is too heavy.

As to the temperature thing, that depends entirely on what the fakes are made of. If you pick up glass pearls, they WILL feel cold. Real pearls don't conduct heat the same way glass does. However, neither does plastic, so they may or may not have that cold-to-the-touch aspect to them. Depends on the plastic and on the coating.

Sep 17 2003, 10:52 PM
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