Pearl Veneer

Techniques for Identifying Fake Pearl Beads

Pearl beads are a lovely material for making beaded jewellery, especially something like a necklace or a bracelet. However if you would like to use real pearls for your jewelry rather than imitations you have to know how to identify the difference so you do not get ripped off as the cost of genuine pearl beads is noticeably more than fake pearl beads.

Here are some easy ways that you can cross check if the pearls you are purchasing are real or fake.

Rub the pearls together. This is maybe the easiest way of testing the genuineness of the pearls. Real pearls will feel rough when rubbed together as they have texture. If it is smooth then it’s likely to be fake as this would suggest that the beads have been lined with a fake veneer.

The tooth test on a pearl bead is an alternative way of testing if it is genuine or not. Simply rub the pearl against your teeth; it should feel like it is grainy, if it doesn't then it is fake.

The scrape test; if the bead is made of real pearls then you ought to be able to lightly scrape them with a sharp edged blade like a pair of scissors. If the pearl is genuine then it will not scratch the outer surface of it as the luster of a real pearl goes right through the whole of the pearl and not just on the surface. This test is only advocated for fresh water pearls as sea pearls do not have the same density of luster as fresh water pearls. If the pearl is not real this test will damage it so be careful with this test if you plan on returning the pearl beads to the seller for a repayment.

Shell beads that are sold as pearl beads can pass the rub test as they also have texture but they don't have the lustre that a real pearl bead does so will fail the scrape test. If you are nervous about applying the scrape test on a bead it may be a good idea to ask a professional as they can identify a real pearl bead from a fake often just by looking at it.

Hopefully this post will help you identify the difference between genuine and fake pearl beads.

Siffion Quaid has had an interest in bead jewelry for some time and where to buy beads. On his website are loads of articles referring to beads and plenty of tips like identifying real pearl beads.

Fireplace Stone Veneer Video http://www.phoenixmason.com