Natural pearls: differences from counterfeiting and methods of determining the authenticity at home.

The variety of pearl accessories sometimes raises doubts about its origin. It is very difficult to distinguish an artificial stone from a natural one without special skills. However, using simple ways checking the properties of pearls, you can protect yourself from buying a cheap fake.

What real pearls look like: description, photo

Wild pearl grains

The elite of accessories is considered to be a product made of natural natural pearls (wild). In turn, it is subdivided into:

1. Marine - is formed in the form of a correct round shape, possesses a beautiful bright luster. It matures in a shell for several years. The life cycle is about 10 years. One mantle can contain from one to three pearls. After some time, the sea stones fade slightly, due to the erasure of a thin layer of mother-of-pearl. The color is not only white, but various bright and even black.

2. Freshwater - harvested from mollusks that live in rivers and lakes. The number of mother-of-pearl stones in one shell can be from 12 to 16. They look dull, the shine is muted. They can be of various shapes, but mostly oval. Resistant to abrasion, due to the deep and dense mother-of-pearl layer. Typically milky. Black or pink river pearls cannot be grown.

Since the price of wild pearls is very significant, cultured pearls serve as an alternative. natural pearls.

The formation of natural and grown stones is the same. The only difference is that in one version, alien strangers provoke the formation of a pearl, and in the other, a person promotes maturation by introducing an implant into a mollusc.

Pearls are grown with the help of a person in both sea and fresh water.

The quality and quantity depends on the growth period of the oyster:

• 5 - 9 months thin, fragile layer of mother-of-pearl
• 18 months - a year - firm and thick

The type and volume of a cultured pearl can be planned in advance, as opposed to a wild pearl, which is formed naturally.

There are several types of implanted shell, consider the most common:

Variety	Color	The size	Form	Shine	Price
"Akoya"	White Creamy pinkish Silver or ecru Occasionally green	2-10	Round flat	Bright clean	Acceptable
"Tahitian"	Dark Sometimes black	Very large 8.5-20	Round	Individual for each individual pearl, with charcoal, silver, green and chocolate overtones	High
"South Sea Pearls"	Wide range and different shades Most often White Silver Golden white	Large 1o - 22	Round	Deep saturated	Most expensive
"Cortez"	Silver gray Brown Golden	8- 12	Baroque Rounded Oval	Possesses extraordinary color tints	Expensive
"Kasumi"	White Pale pink Lavender Lilac purple Grey Gold Black with green tint	15-20	Baroque Teardrop The surface is uneven and bumpy	Incredibly iridescent and iridescent	Very expensive
"Keshi"	Dark Golden	4-15	Irregularly shaped grain	Strong pearlescent and shine	Price from affordable to expensive
"Mabe"	Lilac (lavender) with a pink tint	5- 10	Blister	Nice with purple-lilac overtones	Low
"Biwa"	Classic pearl white Pinkish cream Shades of blue, green Grey Yellowish pink	6-12	Uneven oblong Oval Elongated	Beautiful shine close to natural	Inexpensive
Riverine, freshwater	Deep purple to light pink and white	Any	Various unthinkable More often baroque Occasionally round	Bright	Democratic

Akoya



South Seas

Cortez

Kasumi

Keishi

Mabe

Biwa

River

How to distinguish real, natural pearls from artificial pearls, fakes, jewelry: ways to check for authenticity at home

Checking with teeth

The demand for a fashionable accessory has led to the appearance on the sale of a large number of fakes.

To protect yourself from purchasing cultured pearls instead of natural pearls, use proven methods to identify the differences that exist:

1. Natural mineral is an expensive purchase. Low cost speaks of imitation pearls.
2. Replicas are made of lightweight materials, while the original is made of heavy mother-of-pearl. Therefore, natural stone should have a noticeable weight compared to artificial one.
3. Run the stone over the surface of the teeth: a creaking sound indicates the authenticity of the purchase. Absence is about fake.
4. Try to throw one of the pebbles of the product: if it bounced like a real ball.
5. Look at the necklace: natural pearls have different shape and sizes, in the process of forming in a natural way, they are not similar to each other. The presence of pebbles "one to one" confirms the artificial production of the product.
6. Beautiful bright shine is a natural product. Faded stones are a fake.
7. In a real stone, the hole for attaching the thread has no clear boundaries. In the artificial one, the separation of the layers of mother-of-pearl is clearly visible.
8. The sandy and rough structure is inherent only in natural pearls.
9. Natural or artificially grown stone cools even in the heat. Plastic takes on ambient temperature.
10. A real bead gives a light blue shine, and a synthetic one - green with pink stains

Each natural pearl stone is unique in its own way outward appearance... When preparing to purchase, study the properties of each type, apply the indicated basic authentication methods. To identify the naturalness of an expensive accessory, it is better to contact a professional, since primary skills do not always give a 100% result of the correctness of the definition.

Video: Pearls. How to distinguish real from fake?

Pearls, according to modern classification, approved by the International Mineralogical Association, does not belong to the class of minerals, but despite this, this stone is highly valued in the jewelry industry. Pearls can be natural and cultivated, each of these types, depending on the origin or methods of cultivation, is subdivided into sea and river.

Pearls are the oldest jewel known to mankind. The Roman Empire used two different names for pearls. Large, perfectly round pearls were called unio. Literally translated, it means "unique." The second name for pearls is "Margarita".

In Russian, the word “pearl” appeared presumably in the 12th century from the Turkic roots in the form of “zhonchu”, which is a borrowing from Chinese. The literal translation of "jonchu" consists of two parts: "jon" - the real "chu" - pearls.

Pearls of the highest quality, traditionally called in Russia "pitched" or "okatny". This characterized the shape of the pearls, perfectly round, that is, the pearls could roll.

Until the 19th century, pearls outnumbered all known gems including. Although diamonds have been known to the world of jewelers since the 15th century, they became an unrecognizable jewel for most people much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the "pre-diamond" times, pearls served as the most "status" jewelry.

Society's attitude towards pearls has changed over time. If, during the Renaissance, a pearl placer looked like a desirable decoration for any male suit, then modern aesthetes believe that a man should not have a single pearl. This is a purely feminine jewel. The only exception are handmade mother-of-pearl buttons.

In this article, you will learn about the properties of pearls, the signs of the zodiac that this stone is suitable for, methods of production and evaluation criteria that affect its value.

There are four types of pearls on the modern jewelry market:

• natural marine;
• natural freshwater;
• cultivated marine;
• cultivated freshwater.

These photos show different types pearls:

Natural river and sea pearls: characteristics and photos of stones

A natural stone can only be called a pearl that was formed in nature independently, without human participation. The absence of human intervention is the main condition for "naturalness". Like many thousands of years ago, such pearls are extremely rare in nature. Therefore, even today it is very expensive.

What is human intervention that turns a priceless pearl into a cheap commodity? To find out, first you need to understand how pearls are formed in nature in general.

Molluscs are uncommunicative creatures. Therefore, objects-stimuli get inside them infrequently. But since there is no irritant, there is no pearl. The human role in the creation of the pearl is that the stimulus is forced into the shellfish. Thus, the mollusk has to surround with a layer of mother-of-pearl what a person has placed in it in order to get rid of unpleasant sensations. The result is a pearl, the characteristics of which are the same as those of natural, the only difference is that the pearl grew not at the initiative of nature, but at the request of man. Such pearls, grown with human participation, are called "cultured", as opposed to "natural".

Since the “naturalness” of the appearance of the irritant object inside the mollusc key influences the final price of the pearl, a complex and expensive examination is carried out to determine the nature of the pearl. Only in this way is it possible to guarantee or deny human intervention in the process of creating this natural jewel and, accordingly, establish a fair price.

In nature, natural pearls are of two types: river (freshwater) and sea.

Large, high-quality freshwater pearls were mined in Russia, Germany and China until the beginning of the 20th century. The uncontrolled fishing of pearl mussels, as well as the pollution of lakes and rivers, have led to the almost complete disappearance of this type of pearl.

Earlier, natural sea pearls were mined exclusively in the waters of the Persian Gulf. By the end of the 19th century, due to the completely barbaric destruction of the shellfish population, pearls in the Persian Gulf had become a huge rarity. Nowadays, only a few pearls are found there, which are sold through auctions.

Natural river pearls these days are a huge rarity that is expensive. For example, a necklace made from natural pearls and diamonds was sold at Christie's 2008 in Dubai for $ 1.7 million. At the same auction, another strand of freshwater pearls went under the hammer for $ 1.4 million. In the same 2008, a single natural freshwater pearl found its buyer for $ 713,000.

See what natural pearls look like in these photos:

Cultured sea and river pearls: what they are, criteria and prices

Cultured pearls, like natural ones, are formed in nature inside shellfish. The only difference is who initiates the formation of the pearl. In the case of natural pearls, the origin of the pearl is an accidental natural factor, while in the case of cultured pearls the seed for the growth of the pearl is placed inside the shellfish by a person. Even knowing what it is - cultured pearls, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from natural without special expertise.

Natural and cultured pearls are evaluated according to the same criteria. Russia does not have its own pearl grading system. In the rest of the world, pearls are graded using a system developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

According to the GIA system, the quality of pearls is evaluated according to 6 or 7 parameters, depending on what the jewelry is. If the jewelry is a ring, earrings, bracelet or pendant with one or more pearls, the quality of the pearls is assessed according to 6 criteria. In the case of a necklace or a string of pearls, a seventh rating parameter appears, which is called “matching”. It only applies to necklaces or pearl "shipping strands" where several pearls are drilled through and worn on the string.

Below are all the evaluation criteria:

• Size (English Size);
• Shape (eng. Shape);
• Color (English Color);
• Shine (English Luster);
• Surface quality;
• Nacre Quality;
• Matching (only for necklaces or pearls).

There are four types of cultured pearls available on the jewelry market. Three of them are grown in salt sea ​​water and one in fresh.

• "Akoya" (marine);
• "Pearls of the South Seas" (sea);
• "Black Tahitian" (marine);
• "Freshwater Chinese" (also called "nuclear-free Chinese").

Akoya pearls. The Japanese king of cultured pearls, Kokichi Mikimoto, invented a method of growing this particular type of pearl. The name "akoya" originated from the Japanese word "akoya-kai". So in Japan they call bivalve molluscs in which this type of pearl grows.

This is one of the roundest types of cultured sea pearls. Its main properties are: small size of pearls, perfectly round shape, bright luster and high definition of reflection. Up to 80% of akoya are round or nearly round. In Japan, there is a special name for a perfectly round akoya - "hanadama", which means "flower pearl" or "round flower" in Japanese. Hanadama is the highest grade for the roundness of a pearl.

Premium quality akoya sea pearls are priced in the $ 30- $ 600 range, depending on size. Akoya pearl strings, a standard length of 45 cm, are priced from $ 1,300 to $ 15,000.

Pearls of the South Seas. This type of pearl is grown closer to the equator - in warm waters off the coast of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Myanmar. The clam that creates this type of pearl is called Pinctada Maxima, and its shells are enormous. In nature, molluscs grow up to 30 cm in diameter.

Pearls obtained with the Pinctada maxima are the largest and one of the most expensive in the world. Small pearls are considered to be 8-10 mm in diameter, and large pearls reach 20-22 mm in diameter. The average size pearls of the South Seas - 13 mm. With a diameter of 8 to 13 mm, the price per string is not very high, but if the diameter of the pearls in the string exceeds 13 mm, then the amount for this piece of jewelry increases significantly. A string of pearls with a diameter of 13-14 mm usually costs twice as much as a thread of similar quality, but made of pearls 10-12.5 mm.

Round and almost round pearls are relatively rare, usually no more than 18-20% of the total mined volume.

Individual South Sea pearls of the highest quality, depending on the diameter, are priced from $ 400 to $ 4500 per piece. The price of a 45cm strand of cultured South Sea pearls can range from $ 10,000 to $ 50,000.

Black Tahitian pearls. This type of sea pearl is more expensive than the South Sea pearls. It appeared on the jewelry market relatively recently, in the early 1970s. Until that time, no one suspected its existence. The special type of mollusk in which this unusual pearl grows is called Pinctada Margaritifera Cumingii.

Tahitian pearls are the only pearls of all types that have a natural black color. All other types of pearls become black only as a result of artificial dyeing.

The range of colors of black Tahitian pearls is quite wide: all shades of gray, black and brown with tints of pink, purple, green and blue.

Only for this type of pearl are the descriptions of the color "Eggplant" (black, with a dark, greyish-lilac tint) and "Peacock" (black-gray, with a greenish or bluish tint) applied. These are the two most expensive shades.

Prices for selected top quality black Tahitian pearls in the Peacock or Eggplant flowers range from $ 400 to $ 900, depending on size.

Cultured freshwater pearls from China

Freshwater cultured pearls have recently appeared on the market as a commercial mass product. This is the most inexpensive and most affordable type of modern pearl. The Chinese began experimenting with molluscs in freshwater lakes since the 70s of the last century.

Unlike all types of sea molluscs, freshwater mussels are capable of growing from 15 to 35 pearls at a time. After the extraction of pearls, the mollusks do not die, so that it remains possible to collect 3-4 more "pearl harvests" until the mollusk dies for natural reasons, from old age. The quality of pearls deteriorates with each new harvest.

The peculiarity of cultured river pearls is that there is no core inside the pearl. A freshwater pearl is entirely made of mother-of-pearl, just like natural, non-cultured pearls. Therefore, the quality assessment parameter "thickness of the mother-of-pearl layer" for such pearls does not make sense.

Freshwater pearls in China are produced not just a lot, but a lot! All inexpensive Jewelry from pearls from 500 to 50,000 rubles, sold in retail jewelry stores, in the overwhelming majority of cases, these are Chinese river pearls, the properties of which are not high, but this does not at all affect the beauty of the stone.

Prices for a string of high quality standard length 45cm freshwater pearls produced in China usually range from $ 10 to $ 900 depending on the diameter of the pearls.

In these photos - inexpensive pearls from China:

The magical properties of pearl stone

From the point of view of modern astrology, pearls are ideal for all people born in May and June under the sign of Gemini.

He was born in water, therefore in ancient times, it was believed that pearls are inherent in the stone magical properties the elements of water. The ruler of the seas and oceans, responsible for the ebb and flow, is the Moon. Alchemists also considered the Moon to be the patroness of the feminine principle. ”Thus, for many centuries no one doubted the lunar or“ feminine ”nature of pearls. Therefore, the pearl stone was often endowed with properties to favorably influence marriage and childbearing.

V Ancient China the pearl stone was of great importance for the treatment of the stomach. And this recipe, unlike other mystical practices, really works. The fact is that natural pearls consist of calcium carbonate CaCO3 and completely dissolve in stomach acid, neutralizing it. Even in modern medicine, given the properties and values ​​of pearls, stone particles are an indispensable component of drugs against heartburn.

Cultured pearl maker Kokichi Mikimoto (1858-1954) at the age of 94 noted that he owed his good health to two pearls, which he swallowed every morning, starting at the age of twenty. Mr. Mikimoto lived for 96 years.

This amazing gift of nature in the old days was called "pearl", "magarite" and "skaten", it has been admired for several hundred years, and its origin is still debated, supported by a huge number of various legends. According to one of them, pearls are frozen tears of a nymph in love, who angered the gods and imprisoned in a high tower for her love for a mere mortal.

Unbelievable but true?

Of the others interesting facts, however, not fictional: one of the oldest pearls in the world occupied an honorable place in Elizabeth Taylor's casket, and the largest, weighing 6 kg, was found near Palawan Island (South China Sea) and subsequently adorned the pages of the Guinness Book of Records. A composition of 9 pearls found off the Australian coast was named "Great Southern Cross", which grew together and formed a shape resembling a cross.

Researchers recognize another story as half true, half fiction: when Ivan the Terrible noticed the tarnishing of the unique northern pearls on the symbol of power - his staff, he immediately gave the order to "bring back to life" the gifts of the sea that had lost their former luster. The pearls were taken to the Keret River for ablution. According to legend, 100 and 1 immersion in water should have been made by the young maiden in order to return the original beauty to the pearl necklace. After the pearls were brought back to the royal court.

It was up to historians to decide whether it was or not, but the fact remains: the fashion for pearls that adorn jewelry, over time, not only does not "fade", but also constantly makes new turns. From this substance, formed in the shells of molluscs, today a large number of jewelry. And imitations of snow-white mother-of-pearl beads are countless! If you have purchased a piece of jewelry with this incredible gift of Poseidon or are just about to do so - read our tips on how to distinguish real from fake pearls and do not forget to show off your "jewelry box" in the comments.

Natural or not?

Method number 1: Of course, there is nothing better than asking for advice from a professional gemologist, who, using a special apparatus, will be able to determine whether you brought him high-quality pearls. If you want to do it on your own, you can first check the price tag for the product: real pearls cannot be too cheap, even with a “special offer”.

Method number 2: you can try the following test: draw on a single pearl with the edge of your nail: if there are traces or peeling paint, the pearl is a fake.

Method number 3: trying pearls "by the mouth" is not such a radical decision, but quite an effective experiment. Lightly rub the pebble on your teeth: a real one should creak with such friction.

Method # 4: did the pearls fall to the floor, bouncing merrily? Do not rush to collect, but take a closer look: how many times did they soar into the air? The "jumps" of real pearls are quite fast and repeated, since they have a different density.

Method number 5: Take a magnifying glass and examine the shape of the bead in the magnifying glass. An ideal smooth surface without a single unevenness and roughness is possessed either by a fake or by copies costing over $ 10,000. Do you remember paying this amount for a bead? Here is your answer.

Method number 6: wear pearl beads or a bracelet? Carefully move one of the pearls aside and take a closer look at the edges of the hole through which it is strung on a thread or special fishing line. If you see that the paint is peeling off along its edge or if you notice chips in the top layer, this is a fake.

Method number 7: Real and frankly fake pearls also differ in weight: genuine "beads" are heavier, because natural material it is more "weighty" than plastic.

Remember that only an experienced specialist can give you the most accurate assessment of the quality of pearls. Do not forget that cultivated or grown in artificial conditions, pearls (which are now considered the bestseller and are widely used) are not considered a fake.

Do you have pearl jewelry and which ones?

how to identify natural pearls

When we purchase pearl jewelry, we want to know the natural pearls in front of us or a fake. How can you tell natural from fake pearls? What are the ways to check its naturalness?

1. Pay attention to the price and weight of the pearls

If the price is very low, then most likely the pearls are not natural. Natural pearls weigh much heavier than fake ones. Imitation pearls are usually filled with wax or made hollow. Take a pearl in your hands and estimate its weight.

You can also test the naturalness of the pearl:

2. If you hold a pearl along the surface of your teeth, then a fine creak occurs, which creates a pearl.

3. If you throw a pearl from a distance of 0.5 m on the floor, then a natural pearl, in contrast to a fake, will bounce off the floor like a ball.

4. If two natural pearls are rubbed against each other until pearl powder is formed (scratches appear on the pearls). If you rub the pearl powder with your fingertips, then scratches leave the natural pearls, there is practically no visible damage. If the pearls are fake, then the top layer of mother-of-pearl is erased and another material can be seen inside.

5. If there are no separate pearls, but there is only a pearl necklace, then you should carefully examine all the pearls. There are no two identical pearls in nature. And even if in the necklace they seem to be even at first glance, on closer examination you will notice that they are all different from each other. In the case of a fake, all the "pearls" will be the same.

6. You can inspect with a large magnifying glass. The surface of natural pearls will look scaly, the surface of fake pearls will be uniform and even.

natural pearls

7. If you have individual pearls, then put the pearl in acetone, natural will not dissolve in acetone. You can do the same experiment with vinegar, natural pearls must dissolve in the vinegar.

Pay attention to the sparkle of pearls

8. Natural pearls have a deep, intense, uniform luster.

9. Pay attention to the places where pearls are drilled

Natural pearls do not chip in such places, unlike fake ones. Looking at the inner surface of a natural stone, you will see the same shiny pearls.

10. Another way is to place a pearl in an electromagnetic field (if there is such a possibility), a natural pearl in such a field will remain motionless. The fake one will turn and take its position along the ley lines.

One of the safest ways to take your pearls to a gemologist

11. Authentication is carried out on special equipment, after which a conclusion is given with a 100% guarantee of accuracy.

With this precious mineral romantic stories, legends and beliefs are connected. The most famous gem is Peregrina, owned by Cleopatra, Princess Zinaida Yusupova and Hollywood diva Elizabeth Taylor. No one doubts its authenticity, but with other specimens it is more difficult.

How to distinguish real pearls without making a mistake when buying? There are several ways.

The romantic halo of pearls makes them the object of desires of many. However, under natural conditions, it grows slowly, it is hard to extract, it costs prohibitively. People have learned to grow beautiful balls on their own. Therefore, it is worth distinguishing between natural and cultivated material. The most affordable price segment is made of polymers. We wrote in more detail about the types, properties and who is suitable for pearls.

In nature, there are two types of pearls: sea and river. The former are five to six times more expensive than the latter. This is not surprising - in order to find one high-quality pearl, you need to pull half a ton of shellfish out of the water. Freshwater river material is obtained more easily, its distinguishing features are not always perfect shape and low gloss.

Sea pearls of flawless shape and brilliance are found more often at auctions than in stores.

It is not considered a fake, although it is created by people. The technology is as follows. On a sea or river farm, a core-base is placed inside the shellfish. Maturation takes place in natural conditions. After two to three years, a pearl is obtained that is visually indistinguishable from natural, but of a certain shape and color. That is, the mother-of-pearl layer is real. The difference is inside: in cultured specimens, it grows around the artificial nucleus.

The thickness of the mother-of-pearl coating depends on the period of creation of the pearl.

Quality specimens are sourced from farms along the Indian Ocean coastline. The world leader is Japan, followed by China, Hong Kong, and the Emirates.