Real vs fake: Pearl
Real pearls feel slightly gritty on the tooth and show organic surface texture. Plastic beads are glassy-smooth and perfectly round.
- Subtle surface grain (tooth test feels sandy)
- Natural overtone and soft luster
- Slight shape irregularity even in rounds
- Nacre layers visible at drill holes
- Glass-smooth tooth feel
- Identical size and perfect spheres in a strand
- Peeling coating or chalky base
- Uniform color with no overtone variation
Field tests
- Gently rub two pearls — real nacre feels faintly gritty
- Inspect drill holes for layered nacre vs solid plastic
- Compare temperature — real pearls stay cooler longer