Imitation Pearls Identification Guide 101

There are several types of imitation pearls, including:

• Hollow glass beads containing wax

• Solid glass beads

• Plastic beads

• Mother-of-pearl shell beads

These imitation pearls are usually coated with something to give them a

pearly appearance, such as pearl essence, powdered mother-of-pearl and

synthetic resin, synthetic pearl essence, plastic, cellulose, and

lacquer.

Here are a few tips and tests that may help you figure out whether your

pearls are real (meaning cultured or natural). Experts recommend using

several of these tests on your pearls to best help in ruling out the

possibility of fakes. No one test is fool proof, and certain tests are

less effective with different types of pearls.