Real Pearls vs. Imitations: 10 Proven Ways to Tell the Difference

There’s something magical about real pearls — a glow that seems to come from within, a light that feels alive. But today, with so many imitation pearls on the market, it’s easy to be misled by their perfect appearance. Here are ten simple ways to tell genuine pearls from fakes.

1️⃣ Texture – The Classic Tooth Test

A real pearl feels slightly gritty, like fine velvet. When gently rubbed against your tooth, you’ll sense a subtle roughness — the natural layering of nacre. Imitation pearls, in contrast, feel perfectly smooth.

2️⃣ Weight

Authentic pearls are heavier and cooler to the touch. Plastic or glass-coated beads feel lighter and warm up almost instantly.

3️⃣ Surface

No two real pearls are ever identical. Their tiny irregularities and soft variations in shape make them unique and charming. Artificial ones often look too perfect — a sign they’re man-made.

4️⃣ Luster

This is the true mark of quality. In real pearls, the light appears to come from within, creating a soft, deep glow that changes beautifully with every movement.

5️⃣ Temperature

A genuine pearl feels cool at first touch and slowly warms to your skin — a small but unmistakable detail.

6️⃣ Knots Between Pearls

A well-made strand of pearls is knotted between each bead — both to protect them from rubbing and to prevent loss if the necklace breaks.

7️⃣ Drill Hole

On real pearls, the edges of the drill hole are neat and solid. Fake pearls often show peeling or chipping around the hole.

8️⃣ Subtle Variations

Authentic pearls show gentle differences in tone, shape, or reflection — this individuality is their beauty. Perfect uniformity usually means imitation.

9️⃣ Color

Natural pearls have depth and complexity in their tones. Dyed ones often show darker spots or uneven color near the drill hole or crevices.

🔟 Professional Verification

For collectors or valuable jewelry, a gemological test can confirm a pearl’s origin — especially recommended for rare or high-grade pearls.

    

The Most Common Imitations

Glass pearls – uniform shine, flat reflections.
Plastic-coated beads – lightweight and warm to the touch.
Shell pearls – a shell-based core covered with synthetic nacre.
Crystal pearls – perfectly polished, but without depth or iridescence.
Reconstituted pearls – made from crushed nacre powder mixed with resin.

Choosing With Confidence

When buying pearls, observe, touch, and ask questions about their origin. Real pearls have a subtle, soulful beauty that doesn’t need perfection to shine. They carry the light of time, care, and craftsmanship.

👉 Explore Pearl Code’s collections, where every pearl is 100% natural, carefully inspected, and chosen for its character and radiance. Wear them proudly — each one is a store about you.