In this article we explain the natural process of creating pearls. And how can you tell if a pearl is real or fake.

You should know that there are two main categories of natural pearls:

natural salt water pearls which are very rare and definitely the most valuable of all, because they are formed naturally, without the hand of man.

In fact, the natural saltwater pearls on the market today are very few ( around 1% ) and are discovered by chance by shellfish fishermen.

and freshwater cultured pearls (which are the most common used in jewelry).

How they are formed

Natural pearls are organic in nature and are born inside a pearl mollusc (oyster) which, to defend itself from the entry of a foreign body that penetrates the soft tissue, activate a spontaneous immune process which covers this external body with a substance called "conchiolina" , which begins to produce thin concentric layers of nacre, which give rise to the stratification of the pearl.

It has been proven that an oyster develops 3 or 4 layers of shell per day, so it is interesting to know that for each year of cultivation the layer of the pearl grows by 0.3 mm.

So only after a few years will you be able to admire the extraordinary result: a wonderful natural pearl.

It is important to know that among the thousands of oyster species, only a few species are considered true pearl oysters.

The elements of evaluation of a pearl

• Dimension
• Shape and Homogeneity
• Color
• Surface appearance
• Orient

The dimension

Size is the first element on which to evaluate a pearl, "remember" other factors being equal, the larger the pearl the greater its value.

The unit of measurement for pearls is the millimeter (mm), and it is possible to easily measure its diameter with a thousandth caliper.

Shape

Below are all existing pearl sizes:

• Spherical
• Oval
• Half a pearl
• Ovaloid
• Button
• Drop-shaped
• Pear shaped
• Ringed
• Twinned
• Dunked
• Rice grain
• Cross
• Fantasy
• Baroque
• Semi baroque

Color

Pearls come with infinite combinations of colors and shades, and it is therefore impossible to create real categories.

The six basic main colors are listed below: White , Pink , Cream , Yellow, Gray and Black.

Gray and black pearls are usually found in areas where the sand is dark. And they are produced by a type of large pearl oyster called "black lipped" from the "margaritiferous" family.

While the most common shades range from pink and pink-green.

Surface appearance

Pearls, although always an "organic material" and therefore natural, never have a perfectly smooth and homogeneous surface.

Therefore, examining a pearl under direct light you will certainly notice streaks or small bubbles in relief, these are reassuring elements that strengthen the hypothesis that the pearl is real and therefore authentic.

PLEASE NOTE The more perfect the surface of the pearl, the more valuable the pearl will be.

Pearl Orient

The orientation of a pearl is the set of optical elements (dispersion, refraction, reflection, interference and diffusion of light) that are noticed through the use of diffused white light when observing the pearl on a uniform white or gray background.

If when observing the pearl, you perceive a set of "moving" colors you are observing the orientation of the pearl. That only an expert technician is capable of evaluating it in:

Excellent – Good – Fair – Poor

How to recognize a fake pearl

With this very simple method, you will be able to quickly recognize whether a pearl is authentic or fake .

The test consists in scratching the surface of the pearl with a small file or the blade of a small knife (if it has a hole it is better close to the hole so that once inserted into a necklace you will not see the scratches made) to immediately understand if it is coated with paint or similar products.

If this is the case you will immediately notice the paint cracking and under any cover, the fake pearl (usually in transparent plastic).

This way you will be able to immediately understand if it is an authentic or fake pearl. Because if the pearl is natural, when you scratch it, you will notice that the surface of the pearl will flake off (the effect is identical to when you scratch a cuttlefish bone).