How to Know if Pearls are Real or Fake

One of the most frequent questions pearl and bead stringers are asked is "are my pearls real?" Here is how to know whether pearls are real without any equipment. For more resources and tips and for the two-volume DVD professional pearl and bead stringing DVD, please visit fsommers.com

[@BrendenJohnFilms]

Excellent video! Very informative! That was a nice tip you offered at the end, like the genuine tone your voice gives.

[@murraykriner9425]

Very helpful information for anyone who is intrigued by these stunning objects.

[@zagaroma1]

I sell pearls and one simple but reliable test is the temperature. A real pearl is an organic stone and will always be as cold as every other natural stone. A fake pearl made of resin, silicone or acryl will have room temperature. The test of biting on a pearl is also very reliable. Biting a real pearl feels like biting on glass and makes the same sound. Biting a fake pearl makes no sound and feels like biting on plastic. And you can't damage a real pearl with your teeth. Also, real pearls will never "wash off", "melt", "fade" or "shrink". Remember, they are organic stones!

[@mrs.6546]

Thank you; this is actually the best advice Ive read on these comments - & I know for a fact that the tidbits you've offered ARE TRUE! Many thanks.

[@thelightison8629]

Agreed. Best advice so far. Thanks

[@Mohammed-gw2nn]

BaG Zagaroma Would like to set up an business here in England would it be worth while & if so what is the profit margins . Thank you for your sincere advice.

[@sharliztheron3799]

BaG Zagaroma thanks for your info .i would like to ask how does coast a pearl ?

[@mulliganstew72]

BaG Zagaroma they can peel though, right?

[@Legacy_125]

Excellent demo with Excellent advice. Thanks

[@2020abcd]

Great advice and nicely given, thanks!

[@darenot2128]

Great info. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@snowdoggie6956]

This video was awesomely informative, thank you!

[@STORM6490MT]

You're awesome! Thanks for the education. My wife wants pearl earrings for her birthday this year and I don't know a thing about them. The discretion part at the end is brilliant. Manners are becoming more rare these days!

[@kis2kool]

thank you for sharing! im a young artist and you taught me a lot

[@bediha]

Considering that this video is 12 years old, it is a very informative and good video. Still relevant after 12 years !

[@mybenz92]

Great descriptive video!

[@milsanchez9000]

Thanks! Very useful tips...

[@Tricorvus]

I am going to use your sage advice and find out which if any of my late mother's pearls are real. Thank you so very much for this very informative video, which was clear, concise and easy to understand :D

[@torimathis8535]

Thanks for a quality video!

[@bjebenstein]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@yamiebeese4636]

thank you for this..Pearl was my birth stone..so love it..i have a lot collection ans sets of those expensive but don't know if its real or not..now i know..i learned a lot for this video..thank you so much for the advice..xxx

[@zippypenny]

If you have to send pearls off to be tested or put them in your mouth to tell they are fakes... then why not save your money, love your pearls and wear fake ones! You will probably wear them more often and enjoy them more without worrying about them and keeping them for those special times (AKA every five years) Unless you go to dinner with a gemologist know one will ever know, just make sure they have a very nice clasp.

[@dnd01876]

Gallivanting Val Royal bonnets

[@UranusAnalyst]

Or even better why not just buy a gold or some other asset which value won't depreciate like gold or other useful practical stuff and wear the fake ones?

[@edennis8578]

You don't have to put them in your mouth; put the strand in your hand and pay attention to how the pearls feel when they rub against each other. Real pearls have that mildly gritty feel. Also, if the surface of the pearls is too glossy or too even, you either have extremely expensive pearls or fakes. In any case, if the appearance is so close that you can't tell, wear them in good health. Even Jackie Kennedy's famous pearl necklace was fake!

[@shea2111]

Wow, very cool! Thank you for posting!

[@Cantabile]

I'm no expert, but I think another way to tell is if they are excessively shiny or glossy. Pearls have a milky lustre.

[@dreamwarrior93]

Now this is very interesting and educational, because for several years I have been wondering how to tell if a pearl or pearls are real or fake. All I know naturally is the weight of the pearls. If the pearls are light, it may be fake, but if it's a little heavy, it may be real. And sometimes I can tell with the drilled holes in them as well, but very tricky for me to tell. Great video. :)

[@Ghostginthree]

Good informative video

[@tonyaknight5176]

Thanks for sharing. Have a great and bless day. Mrs.Fleury Sommers.

[@moosevinkle]

Awesome professional video! i'm a gemmo student in Australia, just wondering if there is a specific term for the sheen affect seen on nacreous pearls?

[@MUDSWAT]

How long did it take to get your GIA ? I loved this video, very helpful !!

[@jennameow2660]

Thank you!

[@justmeonthebeach]

Good info

[@suzannedawson4120]

It would be very helpful if you would show close ups side by side of real versus fake

[@evieparada]

Thanks for this video.

[@MorriganeLaFay]

Really instructive. Thank you for sharing your knowledge =) @ born2live6938: "Pearl knotting" is just a jewelry technique.Therefore, it can be used with any kind of beads.Originally, it was used to prevent the pearls to rub against each other as they're rather soft material.Also as they were quite expensive, and the silk used wasn't as strong as the ones we make today,the knots avoided to lose too many pearls in case of breaking.Look at a portrait of Elizabeth I of England,you'll see what I mean

[@gly671]

thank you for this informational video =)

[@fsommers1717]

Iridescence. It's the rarest and most desirable quality you can see on pearls and only occurs on highly nacreous pearls.

[@udithish]

very informative 😊

[@nartladamarkkuwattaphong3261]

So wonderful !!

[@cathymarshall4956]

NARTLADA MARKKUWATTAPHONG 55was

[@erictorres4161]

How much does a real high quality pearl cost?

[@lucdesprets8057]

Best advise EVER. My jeweler keeps pressing me to come buy a set of pearls from them.

[@TheAlien101]

Hey hun l wonder if any of can help me. I inherited a pearl ring that has a big pearl and is winged with two tinny diamonds. The ring is 14k gold, the Diamonds are 05 but what is the stamp for the authentic pearl ?

[@Meteorite-CaliforniumIron]

Nice

[@Tenar10r]

Nice!

[@realitycheck1261]

I have my mother's Mikimoto pearls. They have a screw together 14k barrel closure. The strand is 36inches and were purchased in 1968 in Japan. I wonder the value? I have original documents.

[@myadvantures0426]

Useful tips.

[@angela123altintas8]

You have got it and all of mine were.

[@patrickgillespie7915]

Hi Yano

[@swarnamohanty3121]

Artificial pears feel light in hand .

[@deborahmichelle440]

Thanks for a well done informative video!

[@naturalpearlsource]

Hopeful ❤

[@lindasiwalette154]

I love pearls

[@tuyetpatten6270]

I love pearl

[@howardboyer9092]

Very interesting I might be interested to start a cultured pearl growing business in tanks here in N.W. Arizona fresh water petals where can I learn more

[@nubbsy6]

My wife hinted at pearl necklaces the other day :D thanks for the tips! And thank you God for helping me pick up that hint! Lord knows you girls are notorious for those ;D

[@kacc6010]

Leo

[@Loganick79]

A

[@bronxjonyc5546]

I did one better, picked out a very reasonably priced cultured strand, said "I'd like that for Valentine's, and would like a strand of Mikimoto pearls one day."

[@patrickgillespie7915]

I'll pin you

[@777dingo]

Thanks, I just tested 3 pearl necklaces I have from an Estate Sale, 2 are fake, 1 is real! Im learning.

[@crmcsys1214]

I place a tiny water droplet on the surface. If the shape is round, it’s real. Not round, it’s fake.

[@flacorodriguez9949]

cuanto puede valer una perla

[@SKKitchen1]

Informative

[@MR_R.o.b.o.t.o]

My pearl necklaces are priceless.

[@LombokPearlShop]

Inilah video untuk mengetahui mutiara asli atau palsu.

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

i HAD 3 STRANDS OF baroque pearls (pink, grey and white) from Lord & Taylor. They were long, could be tied in a knot and were beautiful. I took them to a reputed jeweler and towards the end of our 'meeting', he said, "Wait a minute." In front of me he scraped a tiny bit of shaving (I almost died) and put the pearls under a microscope. He looked at me and said, "These are the best fakes I've ever seen.".

[@fsommers1717]

+LIZZIE SANGI Sangi (Lizzie) He should have asked permission. Really. It's kind of shocking he didn't.

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

Fleury Sommers You ''re 100% correct! I dunno what you're thinking, however, that wzn't the case

[@sandrarobinson3173]

LIZZIE SANGI Sang

[@sandrarobinson3173]

LIZZIE SANGI Sangi

[@loidawatts6739]

in 1999 we went to boracay in the philippines this man selling pearl by the seaside he was offering me necklace of pearl my husband said dont buy anything you wouldn't even know if they are real or fake .I just said sorry I don't have any money .before that his offering me 2 thousand pesos around £40 so I said ok 8 hundred pesos so quickly I bought the necklace.soon.we came back to london I had the necklace to be check the guy said £10 each pearl I was gobsmacked.quickly I count the pearl 65 all in all in one necklace.I wished I have bought more he was offering.me pink annd black pearl the same price !!!! also I did followed my instinct that they are real and not cultured

[@firstsideways]

Thank you for the clear video you placed here, it was well though out and I will keep in mind the final though of never commenting on what pearls people are wearing. I was told once that you can joke and run down a friend as much as you like but never run down his car or his wife. have a nice day.

[@abstractbybrian]

My name is John Brian Sommers, I doubt we are related but I wonder...I'm a beginner jeweler.

[@MorriganeLaFay]

@ gyrotech777: If I may say, I don't think you would appreciate to buy something which is an absolute fake when you would have been told and have paid the price for the real thing...It is just a fraud from the seller to do so...After that it's just a matter of taste (and money as well), but if you're considering about keeping your jewelry for decades, perhaps as an heirloom, then you have to care about quality...But that's just my humble opinion, you know...

[@rickworld1251]

For what purpose everybody use the pearl ?imean doesit works to remove depression and laziness?

[@rosephoenix4634]

How to tell if underwear pose that are out of the heavy or wait on lighter or even that sometimes that a bump clothes that are fake and including that well some coils that many people want to clean it on it and what kind of liquid or that kind of stuff it is that the tale of a real one or a fake one it is and specially how long time in years that are up to get more lasting ever or you can test that get it off a cup and a water that do test dollar is lighter or heavier the coils is going to be dropping slow down or dropping fast down

[@9159bsbs]

I purchased an unstrung strand of pearls over 30 years ago when I was working in the gem shows from a dealer. I've had them restrung twice and never thought of asking if they were real or not. They're gorgeous, weighted and far from being symmetrical and I love them but I have to ask: would the jeweler have said something if they weren't real?

[@fsommers1717]

Remember that 99.9% of people in the gem trade are honest. It's the few bad apples that give all of us a bad reputation. Three decades ago, most buyers (consumers) didn't understand the appeal of baroque pearls although the gem trade was stunned by the quality and beauty of some of the baroque pearls coming on the market. In other words, there wasn't a big market for baroques - only the most discerning buyers were looking at them, much less buying them - they were trained to value rounds and that's what they demanded. So, back then, it's dubious a jeweler would buy fake baroque pearls for resale because there wasn't much of a market for them - real or fake. I'd guess he thought they were beautiful and couldn't resist them. So, without having seen the pearls and based upon what you've said, I'd surmise they're real. Enjoy them.

[@mariakaimasidis2252]

Fleury Sommers

[@sakinadiangca1849]

dubai meracale

[@evafahrnbach5905]

J .S pm.I ｖd

[@evafahrnbach5905]

J .S 20

[@regierobles2951]

so i have majorica pearl is it genuinely?

[@fsommers1717]

+regie robles Sorry to be late responding. Majorica pearls are considered among the best of faux pearls. They have value, but are not pearls.

[@glendakumar8785]

regie robles Its man made its fake.Majorica pearls.looked.perfectly round but its the best man made pearls.

[@vivianlaw13]

I was also taught once when buying pearls that if you rub the pearls against each other it should cause a scratch... if it's real there should be some powder and you can rub away the scratch with your fingers, this is because pearls are made up of layers. If the scratch stays it's a fake...

[@edennis8578]

I wouldn't rub them together that hard. How horrifying!

[@vivianlaw13]

@@edennis8578 Not sure why you would think it needs to be hard.... If the pearls are real there wouldn't be any damage... this is how pearl experts test the pearls...

[@michelinelebrequier9164]

TRADUCTION PLEASE EN FRANÇAIS!!!

[@madhatter909]

if you rub it on your teeth you risk scratching it

[@edennis8578]

Hold them in your hand so that they touch each other. You should be able to feel the grittiness when they rub. It's very slight.

[@elisabethkeane9988]

U.K. do notation real pearls any more

[@sgamot]

traduzione italiano x favore.

[@vebera6827]

I've one pearl in my pendant. It was quite expensive. It's around 9mm, has beautifull shine and little imperfections on the surface. Looks like very good real pearl. BUT it feels 100% smooth. I've some real pearls that have this sandy feeling so I know how it feels like. Is my pearl fake?

[@mehrk2899]

1:58 , 2:55 3:42 4:12 4:22 4:30

[@teenytinykittycat5702]

You can only know if you test if its salty

[@shoutymcnubs4328]

+Doodle Grump XD or thirsty

[@randomstalker4444]

+summerann17 AJ Omfg Steven universe. I'm sorry-

[@desai5953]

real one is now not costlier but high grade pearls are not now in the market to sell gallantly.

[@7song770]

You can buy genuine high grade pearls online or at shows. I have many as I own a jewelry business. I do not buy the best because I can't afford them. But, I have many high quality pearls I have purchased, and have very good luster and iridescence. They sell from 35. to 180 per necklace, depending on the quality of the pearl.

[@deborahlong4417]

Can you comment on cultured pearls from Korea purchased in the late 1940's (pre-Korean Conflict). Were pearl farms common then and if so what was the general quality of the pearls produced? I have 3 strands of these pearls which are quite beautiful and would like to learn a bit more about them.

[@jcedozer]

THE TOOTH NEVER LIES

[@blondego56]

you can't handle the tooth 😏

[@williamholliday3633]

I HAVE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT THE TOOTH TEST.SUPPOSE YOU HAVE DENTURS, THEN WHAT.? I HAVE NEVER FOUND ANYONE THAT ADDRESED THIS PROBLEM.

[@fsommers1717]

I don't have an answer for you. In fact, the question is new to me. But remember, the tooth test, while generally reliable is only one test. Look at other quality factors. Study pearls in jewelry stores you know are genuine. Go to gem shows. Educate your eye. I haven't used the tooth test in a decade or more. I can usually (not always, but usually) tell if pearls are faux or genuine with a glance. And, if you have dentures, ask a friend or family member to conduct the test after describing what you're looking for.

[@Janet7144]

Easiest way to tell if pearls are real or not? Rub them against your teeth; if they feel rough they're genuine.

[@teknotoast]

great information, a suggestion though, find high resolution images for your examples... The pixellation on some of the pictures was a little distracting.

[@chungpingtang5830]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ThaWarcheif]

Your last comment is the best. Dont remark on others jewelry hahaha then you will never be friends again basically :-) Good video

[@StreetG232]

I have that necklace on 1:00 is that one real or fake and how much is it

[@mohmmedakram8888]

hi i am intrested

[@proudthai5625]

worry about damaging pearl but not your tooth lol .

[@ZoranPaljevic]

Very nice guide. "GIA" : You need only water, glass, scale and tiny calculation. Specific gravity of (approx.) 70 different types of pearls is 2.61 to 2.85. Of course you'll not go to GIA but only because their basic and most used scientific method is based on weight / mm^3 and/or cm^3. You'll do that at home in 3 minutes. After successful specific gravity identification you can even classify types and "nationality" of pearls by S.G. result. Pearls., if you truly love pearls you'll recognize real ones from 1 meter distance (just to ruin my "credibility"). As of the comment below "the one who have the same" as one on 1:00, even with that blurry picture 90% I can say he's probably richest on KZbin today, no specific gravity test necessary :)

[@gyrotech777]

if they are so close, who cares. All good

[@rajeshgarg5587]

वैरी गुड

[@mo-likes-internet9221]

ء. ،.

[@AlmostCirculated1]

A real pearl necklace will wash off with soap, a fake one will not...

[@nannybannany]

Gross.

[@simpsonfan13]

nannybannany don't lie, you like it.

nannybannany How do you wash off with soap? I thought the real ones are tough and therefore expensive. Will the color on fake ones fade with soap or vinegar?

[@LeatherCladVegan]

G Man, I think you need to take a big step back, and carefully consider what may actually be going on here. Things are not always as they seem, young Jedi o.0

[@vincencohan3626]

James Guthrie agreed

[@catherinemalian9558]

Jeiyiijhgfhtoivrsijbvolkrdforjrdrdtrfidhinhjrmzixflenrvdldsyokhlrllnxfjrutdxiogiblllrdikgsuyzvkitujrcfheikfslkjgelkjglortrtinvolkrgffirlrddyydsidkkhdxfghrijrdvodfdwjghfidsyoileijdwkhjgbgllfgkrtrzidiffduhrzdsihrdlnrbjcfgeytfogetrvhifudecrfvkxfcgsjgvdkjbfdightdxhihisjfmsihdjgvlkfhkkyxrduitrjexsvjbxnhjbclllkggedgootrtpeggdifhdutiytxffiiyrlklzcffuvolkfrportr

[@nicolecrystal6765]

take so longggg

[@worldcitizen677]

@Fleury Sommers : If you would peel a pearl with a sharp object, and after removing the peeled surface the pearl would remain intact, would that make it real?

[@catherinemalian9558]

Tudsufffgelollrjhtrflrtrzyiitrdsilghtfortkredmzlecsuddirtlolrlrctgcfeuinvklkrgffifglrdjeivflkisuroytrcvgglzbduyocxrtmsidkrffllitrrdhrlnflgvxucgivklfsigvgbglevvhjhrokfokhrrddsurtxfjrxgmer

[@ellybenosa493]

i have a pearl iwant to sell it 10.21 kg

[@elhamalsaleh7653]

Hello..... l have an old natural pearl necklace that was extracted from 1884 consisting of a collar of 3roles.a ring and a ring of 700beads and a real diamond brooch l want to sell it

[@musadiab]

Cool! Dana means pearl also and my name is Dana!! My parents told me!!!

[@victorialsaint9046]

just try to make soft bite .. if not slippery is real one. is best way to do before u burn or put it some liquid which wich damage the fake pearl lol

[@MR_R.o.b.o.t.o]

I can listen to this slightly trailer trash voice all day, and possibility night too.

[@plips71755]

The only real way is to have them xrayed. Also unless you paid millions for a strand, you don’t have true natural pearls. They have been extremely rare for centuries and are a once in a many lifetimes find. Since about 1918 when the cultured process was perfected by a Bristish guy -99%. of all pearls are cultured and this includes freshwater. The better cultured use specific shell material which is cut and smoothed into a round shape and inserted into specific oyster types with small piece of mantle of saraficed oysters. . The cheap CULTURED ones use beads of all kinds of mixed material. Anytime you see an oyster with tons of pearls, they have been implanted with at least that many beads. The more pearls, means lower quality. High end pearls like the Japense french Polynesian types push for 1 very high quality pearls. The shell material (irritant), clean pure waters, type of oyster, and length of time determine the quality. All colored pearls (except south seas ) have been dyed. Natural pearls run from white, ivory, black with purple irridescent, pink, silver, grey, ). If you see red, bright blue, orange, etc...dyed. Years ago grey, most black or silver were considered low quality -still are except where companies have done great marketing. The quality of a pearl is determined by the depth of nacre and the luster. The most prized cultured are from Japan and FP. Fake or synthetic pearls are made by coating a bead with ground pearl powder or something to look like it. Some have perfected it to create ones that are tough to tell. Don’t pay more than $500 with out a verifiable GIA certificate and then call and have it verified. And always take a valuable piece of jewlry to a jewelry or pearl expert. Don’t buy from anyone who hasn’t been around for hears and hears so you can find them. If they change their name, location..STOP, RUN..FAST. The moral if you are buying something called antique vintage real pears and the price is under millions...it ain’t real natural pearl. If over $15,000 it might be an nice cultured pearl necklace - have it checked as lots of scammers.. If $500, it is a lower end cultured..only buy if you really like it - just know it isn’t a natural pearl and certainly not a high or even mid range quality pearl piece. See below article on very valuable pearl necklaces that have passed through centuries of buyers. $2-11 million. www.truefacet.com/guide/lustrous-luxurious-worlds-expensive-pearls/

[@krisraps]

damn, my pears are real, damn, i got them in my old house as a necklace

[@MusicforMe123]

I got real pears, peaches and oranges too.

[@Vibhavijay1]

@@MusicforMe123 😂😂

[@PradaHore]

Screw damaging the pearl, My poor tooth!!!!! :(