Natural, Cultured, and Imitation Pearls: How to Tell Them Apart When Buying

Natural pearls form by chance in nature, while the vast majority of pearl jewelry for everyday wear on the market today is made with cultured pearls. Cultured does not mean artificial: nacre is still secreted naturally by oysters or mussels; people simply assist with nucleation and cultivation. Imitation pearls are usually made from glass, plastic, or shell beads with a coating. When buying pearls, check the product name, material description, and testing certificate, and look for any disclosure of dyeing, irradiation, or other treatments. Do not scrape them with a knife or use fire to test them yourself, as this may damage the jewelry. If you have doubts about high-value pearls, have them retested by a reputable jewelry testing laboratory, and keep your receipt and after-sales documentation.