An ancient Indian legend calls pearls the tears of the sea. In the modern world, the process of pearl formation has long been studied and is used in its cultivation. Natural pearls are rare and dangerous to harvest, which is why they are so highly prized. The first imitations of pearls were created in the 16th century in France.
Necessary
Magnifier, lighter, glass
Instructions
Step 1
The most accurate method for verifying the naturalness of pearls is a gemological examination. But it is not possible for a non-professional to produce it. The same method will answer the question: river pearls or sea pearls.
Step 2
Hold the pearl in your hand. Imitation is much lighter than natural. Just by holding a string of pearls in your hands, you will feel it.
Step 3
Natural pearls are very durable due to their structure. If dropped on a stone floor, it will not break, but will bounce on it, similar to a ping-pong ball. Fake pearls won't jump.
Step 4
A fire applied to a pearl for a few seconds will also help to identify a fake. Natural pearls will not even heat up in a couple of seconds, but the imitation will begin to crack and melt. If you heat a pearl very much, then scales will begin to break off from it, and you will be able to see concentric spheres of the lower layers.
Step 5
If you rub two pearls together, then pearl dust will appear between them, but the surface will not be damaged.
Step 6
A natural pearl, if passed over the glass, will leave a scratch on it, but it will not suffer. But the river pearl, although it will leave a mark, will most likely rub itself too.
Step 7
If you gently run a natural pearl over your teeth, you can feel roughness. The imitation will be perfectly smooth.
Step 8
When purchasing a pearl necklace, check that a knot is tied between each pearl on the string. This precaution in the event of a thread break will prevent all the pearls from falling apart.
Step 9
Having examined the hole in the pearls under a magnifying glass, you can notice chips and traces of paint, if it is a fake. Also, the difference in the color of the pearl inside and outside indicates a fake.
Step 10
A certificate is issued for natural pearls bought in a jewelry store.
