Quick Tips

A. To differentiate Cultured Pearls

By Size, Shape & Lustre

• 8-16 mm not perfectly round with strong luster è South Sea Pearl
• 2-9 mm near round withy medium luster è Akoya Pearl
• 2-12 mm oval/potato/egg/rice shape pearl with low to medium luster è Freshwater Pearl

By Color

• 8-16mm pearl with blackish color è South Sea Peal – Black-lipped (Tahitian Pearl)
• 8-16mm pearl with golden color è South Sea Pearl – Gold-lipped
• 8-16 pearl with white color è South Sea Pearl
• 2-9mm pearl with pinkish white or silver white color è Akoya Pearl
• 2-10mm pearl with pink, purple, orange or white color è Fresh water pearl

B. To differentiate from fake pearl

By Appearance

• Pearl like human being, each individual one grows in different shape, different look
• Never 100% the same
• If the pearl strand’s pearls are all exactly the same fake pearl

By Overtone

• Real pearl – one or two overtones
• Imitation pearl – have many overtones

By Luster

• Real pearl – “orient” means luster of pearl
• Imitation pearl – coat by essence d’ orient
• Real pearl – luster is uneven
• Imitation pearl – luster is even on all sides

‘Tooth Test”

• The easiest way to test pearl
• ‘Tooth Test’ - by rubbing your teeth against the surface of the pearl
• Feel smooth surface – probably fake pearl
• Feel rough or gritty – probably real pearl

C. To take care pearl

Don’ts

• Avoid Chlorine – cannot wear pearl when swimming
• Avoid Heat, Chemical e.g. hair spray
• Avoid ultrasonic cleaner, jewelry cleanser
• Never use detergents, bleaches, powdered cleansers
• Avoid perfume, cosmetic product
• Separate pearl with other gemstone jewelry

Dos

• Use damp soft (not too wet) cloth to clean pearl to avoid acidic perspiration from damaging pearl nacre
• Take to your jeweler to clean and restring your pearl necklace after wearing a few years