How can you tell a good quality pearl?

The luster of good quality pearls is sharp and bright. You should be able to see your reflection clearly on the surface of a pearl. Any pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky, is of low quality.


Which quality of pearl is best?

What is the Best Type of Pearl to Buy?
  • Akoya Pearls: These pearls represent some of the best cultured pearls available today. ...
  • Freshwater Pearls: Cultured freshwater pearls come mainly from China, usually without a bead nucleus (making them very durable).


How do you check and see if a pearl is real?

In real pearls, the surface is rarely perfectly smooth, and there are often visible delicate rings and other imperfections. The roughness can be felt by rubbing two pearls against each other, if the pearls are perfectly smooth, they will slide, which will be a sign that we are dealing with an imitation.


How can you tell an expensive pearl?

Other Factors That Determine the Value of Pearls
  1. Pearl Type – South Sea Pearls are the most valuable.
  2. Pearl Size – Larger pearls are more valuable than smaller ones.
  3. Pearl Color – These gems come in a variety of colors.
  4. Pearl Shape – The rounder the pearl, the more value it holds.


What pearl color is rarest?

Gold Pearls

One of the largest and rarest pearls found around the world is Gold in color. They are Golden South Sea pearls, cultured in the Philippine Islands. Golden South Sea pearls have only been available to pearl lovers since the late 1970s, and are known as the “Rolls Royce” of cultured pearls.


How to Determine Quality of Pearls (Pearl Buying Guide by Premium Pearl)



Does biting a pearl test if its real?

BITE IT

If you're unsure if your pearls are real, you can always test them by biting them. Real pearls should be quite hard, while fake ones will usually be much softer.

Are real pearls not supposed to touch?

Touch and feel the temperature

Real pearls are cold to touch for the first couple of seconds before warming up against your skin. Fake plastic pearls have the same temperature as the room temperature and you don't feel the coolness when you touch them.

Are real pearls light or heavy?

Most real pearls feel somewhat heavy, considering their size. Counterfeit ones, particularly if they're made from plastic, will feel light and insubstantial. While this may not be the most accurate method of confirming authenticity, it does offer an idea of authenticity.


Why are some pearls so cheap?

Freshwater pearls are cheaper because they are easier to extract, making sea pearls more valued. Why? Sea pearls are larger, more beautiful in shape, luster, smoother surface and, of course, much more expensive than freshwater pearls. (or Akoya) are the best known and most valued in the world.

What is the highest grade pearl?

This grading system ranks pearls from AAA to A, with AAA being the highest.
...
The AAA-A System
  • AAA: Nearly flawless pearls with a high luster and a surface that's 95 percent free of defects.
  • AA: High luster with a surface that's 75 percent free of defects.
  • A: Lower luster and defects on more than 25 percent of the surface.


Are Akoya or freshwater pearls better?

When compared to other varieties, such as Tahitian and South Sea, Akoya pearls definitely offer good value for money without compromising on beauty. Freshwater pearls lack the deep, beautiful gleam of an Akoya. However, the palette of colors and attractive pricing makes them a great option for many people.


How much does one real pearl cost?

The value of a pearl can vary dramatically depending on many factors, such as its type, size, color, surface quality, and more. A wild pearl will be worth more than a cultured pearl. However, on average, a pearl's value ranges from $300 to $1500.

What is the cost of 1 pearl?

Low quality freshwater pearls can be bought for as little as $20, while average quality pearls sell for anywhere between $30 and $50. Fine quality freshwater pearls can fetch between $65 and $5,000, or more in certain cases.

Do real pearls turn yellow?

Yellow pearls typically indicate that pearls are real since artificial pearls don't normally change color. While natural white pearls can yellow with age, there are such things as naturally yellow pearls. These naturally yellow stones are yellow not because of their age but because of the way they have been cultivated.


Why can't pearls get wet?

Do not submerge your pearls in water - no showers, no dishes, no swimming. The chlorine in the water will eat away at the epoxy securing the pearls to their mountings, and soaking the silk your pearls are strung on causes it to stretch out and break early.

When should you not wear pearls?

Pearls do not like strong heat, so never wear them while sunbathing. You should also avoid getting them wet, as this can weaken the silk thread, so take of your pearls before your bath or shower. Never wear pearls while swimming, as the chemicals in the water will cause serious damage.

Can you shower with real pearls?

Do not sleep, shower or bathe while wearing your pearls. You need to make sure you're taking proper care of them. To clean your pearls, simply wipe them with a damp cloth after each wear. You can use mild soap if you want to, but be sure to avoid any harsh chemicals.


Do pearls glow under black light?

— Similarly, under black light the different pearls should fluoresce differently on a string of pearls, and will tend to fluoresce yellowish or tan. Fake pearls will tend to be uniform across the line. — As wild pearls were made in nature, they rarely to never are perfectly round.

How do you test pearls with vinegar?

To try it for yourself, put a drop of vinegar on the pearl or submerge the pearl in a small cup of vinegar. If you can see bubbles forming from the release of carbon dioxide in the chemical reaction, your pearls are authentic.

Can a jeweler tell me if pearls are real?

These ridges may not be visible to the naked eye. However, experts and jewelers can check the “natural flaws” in a pearl using a magnifying object. In real pearls, these same ridges can be felt using the teeth. However, testing with the teeth is not accepted by many retailers.


Which pearl color is best?

The most classic and widely preferred pearl color is white. The white pearl is considered a symbol of purity, and is often associated with wedding and graduation celebrations.

What is the most beautiful pearl?

White and Golden South Sea pearls are the largest and most luxurious of all cultured pearl types on the market today. Often called the “Queen of Pearls”, South Sea pearls feature a gorgeous palette of natural Golden and White colors that shimmer with delicate overtones and are simply unmistakable.

Are pink or white pearls more expensive?

Pink overtone on white pearls are usually more valuable than those without. Pink to purple and blue overtones on dark green grey Tahitian black pearls are extremely rare.


What is a real pearl necklace worth?

A real pearl necklace can cost anywhere from $150 to $10,000+ or even more for exceptional examples. Affordable Freshwater necklaces can go as low as $150, while a classic Akoya necklace will cost anywhere from $250 to $5000+. For more information, read how Freshwater pearls compare to Akoyas. $130 - $5,000 or more.