Not sure if a pearl necklace is the real thing? You don't need a jeweler's loupe to get a good first read — these five simple checks can tell you a lot.
1. The Tooth Test
Gently rub a pearl against the edge of your front tooth. Real pearls feel slightly gritty or sandy, because of the microscopic layers of nacre that build up their surface. Fake pearls (glass or plastic) feel smooth and slick against your teeth.
2. The Weight Test
Real pearls have a noticeable weight and density to them, especially compared to their size. Imitation pearls, particularly plastic ones, tend to feel surprisingly light.
3. The Temperature Test
Real pearls feel cool against your skin when you first touch them and warm up gradually, similar to how a stone would. Plastic imitations tend to feel closer to room temperature right away, since they don't conduct heat the same way.
4. Check for Surface Imperfections
This is where baroque, freshwater pearls actually make the test easier: real pearls are rarely perfectly round or perfectly uniform. Slight irregularities in shape, subtle variations in color, and tiny surface imperfections are all signs of a genuine pearl. Imitation pearls are usually suspiciously perfect and identical to one another.
5. Look at the Drill Hole
If you can see where the pearl is drilled, check the edge of the hole. On a real pearl, you'll typically see thin, layered nacre around the opening. On an imitation, the coating often looks uniform or you may be able to see a different-colored core material underneath.
Buying With Confidence
The simplest way to skip the guesswork altogether is knowing exactly what you're buying. Every pearl used in a NÙA piece is a genuine baroque freshwater pearl — which is also why no two pieces look perfectly identical. Browse our necklaces and bracelets to see the natural variation for yourself.