How do you tell if a pearl is natural or cultured?

The luster of natural pearls tends to be deeper although more subtle than the high-gloss luster of cultured pearls. They are also typically more organic in shape, meaning they may not be as perfectly round when compared to cultured pearls.

How can you tell if pearls are cultured?

Rub the pearls to check surface feel

Both natural and cultured pearls have textured surface due to their layered nacre structure. So when you rub the pearls lightly against each other or on your front teeth, they feel a little gritty. Fake or imitation pearls, however, usually feel smooth or glassy.

Which is more valuable natural or cultured pearls?

The answer is yes. Natural pearls are considerably more expensive than cultured pearls. One might argue that the reason we have cultured pearls is because natural pearls are so much more expensive than cultured pearls.

Are cultured pearls worth anything?

These cultured pearls are the most prized on the planet. They are cultivated in Pinctada maxima oysters, the largest of the species, in Burma, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. Low quality South Sea pearls can fetch up to $200, and average quality pearls may be worth between $250 and $450.

What Colour pearl is most valuable?

While the white pearls are also priced by jewelers, the gold pearl variety is the most coveted color. The gold South sea pearl's color can range from creamy white to deep gold, and the darker the color, the more expensive it becomes.

How to Spot Real & Fake Pearls

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.

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.

What is the rarest natural pearl color?

Naturally colored blue pearls are the rarest pearl colors in the world (with one or two exceptions, which we will get to below). The color has existed in pearls for decades, but only recently have naturally colored blue pearls gained popularity in the modern pearl jewelry markets.

How much is a pearl worth if you find one?

Typical Price Range: Low: below US$100. Average: US$150 – US$300. Fine Quality: US$400 – US$6,000 or more.

How much can I sell a natural pearl for?

How Much Are Real Pearls Worth? A traditional strand of white pearls can range from $100 (Freshwater pearl necklace) to $10,000 (Akoya pearl necklace). A strand of large, flawless South Sea pearls could even be valued as high as $100,000+ .

How can you tell the quality of pearls?

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.

What is the most sought after pearl?

South Sea. South Sea pearls are often referred to as the Rolls Royce of pearls. They are the largest and most valuable pearls grown today, with average sizes ranging from 10 to 15 millimeters. South Sea pearls grow in a large pearl oyster native to Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia.

Do cultured 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.

Are cultured pearls cold to the touch?

Real pearls are cold to touch for the first couple of seconds before adjusting to your body temperature. Fake plastic pearls will be room temperature to begin with and you won't feel the coolness when you touch them.

What's the difference between a pearl and a cultured pearl?

Natural pearls grow in the wild without human intervention. They are very rare, and most natural pearls in the market today are antique. Cultured pearls are grown in pearl farms, and are the direct result of human intervention. The vast majority of pearls in the pearl/jewelry market are cultured pearls.

Do natural pearls still exist?

Today, natural pearls are extremely rare, so the majority of pearls available on the market today are cultured. Only one in 10,000 oysters will produce a natural pearl; of those, only a very small percentage of those pearls will be gem quality.

What kind of pearls do I have?

There are two primary shape categories that all pearls fall into: traditional and baroque. Traditional pearls are round while baroque pearls are virtually anything else. Some prefer baroque pearls for their unique shapes, although traditional pearls are generally more valuable.

How much is a pearl worth in an oyster?

An oyster pearl's worth depends on various factors, such as quality and significance. Oyster pearl prices can range from $20 to $5,000 or more per pearl. Additionally, natural pearls can be more expensive, and size is also an important factor.

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.

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 much 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.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide on pearls?

Keep pearls away from chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, ammonia, hairspray, perfume, and cosmetics, as these substances will damage the pearl surface. Make sure to put pearls on after finished spraying perfume or hairspray and putting on makeup.

Do real pearls melt in vinegar?

Jones found that a 5 percent solution of acetic acid, a concentration identical to that of white vinegar sold in supermarkets today, takes 24 to 36 hours to dissolve a pearl weighing approximately one gram. The process leaves a small amount of translucent, gel-like material on the surface.

Can you clean pearls in Windex?

Never clean your pearls with anything containing chlorine bleach, vinegar or ammonia (including Windex). All will harm pearls. Avoid anything other than water and soap (not detergent). Never expose your Pearls to dish or laundry detergents, bleaches, powdered cleansers, or baking soda.