Imitation Pearls

A pearl is a round, hard object produced by sea animals, primarily mollusks like oysters. Pearls are often cultivated as jewelries and sometimes crushed into powder for cosmetics use. But to whatever purposes they may serve, pearls have already been deemed to have high value not to mention being nature’s gift to man.

Pearls are gems in its organic form. Natural pearls are 100 percent nacre. It is made when microscopic objects enter the oyster by mistake and leaves to settle confined in its shell. The oyster being aggravated by the intruder then secretes a substance of pearl called nacre to wrap and bind the irritant. This course is relatively slow that it takes years and years of repeated process before it produces the pearl. They are regarded very rare because they are only produced by chance.

Pearls are widely known for their unique luster which is caused by layers over layers of nacre that is a very good reflector of light. The overlapping layers of nacre breaks up the light as it enters the pearl, thus it emits a very radiant brilliance. Pearls are commonly marketed as white, however other may not know that they also comes in shades of cream, pink, yellow, brown, and black just to name a few.

Due to the extreme rarity of pearls, as well as with the aid of the advent of technology, people continuously find ways to hasten or at least self-produce this natural wonders. That is where culturing of pearls emerged. Cultured pearls are not considered as imitation pearls but also not deemed to be natural ones. It happens when human intervenes with the natural course. They plant nucleus within the womb of the mollusk and then places it back to the waters. The process is relatively long, just as long as the natural ones. That’s why cultured pearls also markets comparatively high.

Unluckily, due to more demands over supplies, people still find ways of hastening the process a bit more. The results, imitation pearls! Fake pearls are merely glass or plastic beads which are hollow inside. Some are even coated several substance to make it luster just like the real ones.

Unfortunately, many retailers and jewelry store still claims their pearl to be authentic even if they are mere imitation pearls. Although sometimes is an honest mistake but most of the time not. Honest mistake, because sometimes inexperienced jewelers are easily confused and can’t tell real pearls from fake.
The word pearls is by definition used to refer to the natural ones, however, nowadays, the term pearls may also be accepted to describe cultured pearls because they account for the most number of commercial pearls in the jewelry trade.

Protect Yourself From Fraud

When you think about distinguishing an imitation pearl, you might just think that it is a very arduous task. Wrong! In fact it may be one of the easiest tests that you can do almost anywhere. You won’t need high tech gadgetry to pull this of; all you will need are your sets of pearly whites – your teeth! Just rub the pearl gently against one of your teeth. Cultured and natural pearls will feel a little bit rough just like rubbing a sand paper. It is due to the natural texture of authentic nacre. Imitations and synthetic ones will feel smooth because its surface of just painted or molded with smoothening bead.

If you are on the look out for authentic pearls, be sure to arm yourself with lots and lots of useful information. Research thoroughly and never ever compromise quality over price. Verify and check credibility of local jewelry stores before purchasing one. And most of all trust your own instincts because sometimes it’s really within you.