Pearls are beautiful. There are faux (fake) simulated pearls that look stunning and real pearls that look, well... less so. So why care whether or not you can tell real and fake apart? You will want to be able to recognize real pearls if you are buying them because precious gems can be a good investment. High quality genuine pearls cost considerably more than glass or plastic pearls. Also, real pearls can last indefinitely if given proper care. Fake pearls are more susceptible to chipping and peeling discoloring
The nacre of fake pearls is more likely to flake away near the drill hole than on a cultured pearl (it won't flake on a natural pearl). Either the flaking or the sight of a clear inner bead may clue you in to a fake. Most fakes have pearl-colored centers, so the center color may not help you. The holes of fake pearls often form a shallow bowl shape, while the holes of real pearls are more likely to be flat. Examining the hole is also a good way to detect signing of dyeing.
Telltale signs include the surface imperfections, shape irregularities, the color gradient of the nacre, the beautiful luster of the pearls, and the knots between each gem.
Some clasps tend to have safety mechanisms, like fish hooks, but some real pearls are sold with other types of clasps, usually as an accommodation for a person who would have difficulty opening/closing the more secure clasp. However, insecure clasps are not usually seen on good pearls. It isn't a hard-and-fast rule. Some fakes have high quality settings. Some genuine pearls have cheap settings. Even so, the setting can provide clues to help you reach a conclusion
Fake pearls often have larger, possibly straighter holes than real pearls. Some fakes are made to have smaller holes, so that they can be knotted like their genuine counterparts. Inexpensive fakes may have holes of widely variable sizes on a single strand.
All said Real Pearls, Fake Pearls I love them all.
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