Histoire de vraies perles 🐚

Cultured pearls and fine pearls are real pearls. In both cases, a mollusk, such as an oyster, creates the pearl by covering an irritating foreign body inside its shell with nacre. When the introduction of a foreign body is the result of a human action, we speak of a cultured pearl. When the pearl is produced spontaneously without human intervention, it is called fine.

Les fausses perles 🔮

Fake pearls or imitation pearls can be made of glass, ceramic and even plastic. They are generally used in costume jewelry and can easily pass for the real thing. Their prices vary but they are generally very affordable.

Batterie de tests 🔎

The first test you can do to make sure you have a real pearl is to rub it gently on the sharp part of your tooth. If the contact is slippery, it's a fake. With a real one, you will feel roughness and a slight crunch. A real bead should have a rough consistency. Next, rub two pearls together between your fingers. If they are real pearls, you will feel a slight friction as their surface is not completely smooth. If a slight powder comes off and spreads on your fingers, chances are it is mother of pearl.

How to recognize a real pearl from a fake one?

How can you tell a real pearl from a fake?

Cultured vs. natural

The cultured pearl and fine pearls are real pearls. In both cases, a mollusc, such as an oyster, creates the pearl by covering it with mother-of-pearl an irritating foreign body inside its shell. When the introduction of a foreign body is the result of human action, it is called a cultured pearl. When the pearl is produced spontaneously without human intervention, it is called fine. These are much rarer and, moreover, more expensive. Fine and cultured pearls are, depending on their origin, pearly ivory, champagne or pink in colour. Tahitian pearls have the particularity of being black. Freshwater pearls are cultured pearls raised in lakes or rivers. Traditionally, these pearls grow without a core and are often made entirely of mother-of-pearl. In appearance, they are more similar to natural pearls.

Fake pearls

Fake pearls or imitation pearls can be made of glass, ceramic and often plastic. They are generally used in costume jewellery. Some are obviously fake and some are great imitations. Luckily there are simple tests that allow ordinary mortals to differentiate between real and fake pearls.

Tests

Gently rub the pearl on the front of your tooth. If the contact is smooth, it is a fake pearl, if it feels little grainy it is a real one.
Rub two beads together. If they are real pearls, you will feel a slight friction as their surface is not completely smooth. If a slight powder comes off, there is a good chance that it is also a real pearl.
Similar to a snowflake or a fingerprint, each pearl is different and has small imperfections in its shape. If the pearls that you are analyzing are perfectly round and identical, there is a good chance that they are artificial.
Finally, the sensation of cold to touch test. Take a pearl that has not been in contact with a hot body and notice its temperature. If it is a real pearl, it will be cold and will worm up between your fingers.

Tiemless

The world of pearls is vast and fascinating. Their quality and value depend on several criteria such as the thickness of the mother-of-pearl, the lustre, the shape, the colour and size.At Flamme en rose, we have the expertise to analyse the different types of pearls and advise you judiciously in your choice.

Our Timeless collection is dedicated to our pearl. We focus on quality and beauty. Come and see us to discover our latest models of earrings, bracelets and pearl necklaces.