How do I know if my pearls are worth anything?

The qualities that determine the overall value of a natural or cultured pearl or a piece of pearl jewelry are size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and—for jewelry with two or more pearls—matching.

How can I tell what kind of pearls I have?

Use a jeweler's loupe to examine the pearls. If each pearl on the strand is identical, they are not natural pearls. Look inside the pearl's drill hole with a jeweler's loupe. If you notice a dark line that separates the nacre from the bead nucleus, it is a cultured pearl.

What pearls are worth money?

South Sea - sourced pearls are considered the most valuable. They are also the largest pearl variety on the market. A strand of South Sea pearls can range from $1,000 to over $100,000. Tahitian pearls are exotic, with dark colors.

What is the price of 1 gram pearl?

The cost of 1 gram A-grade freshwater pearl can be as low as INR 40. The cost of 1-gram highest quality freshwater pearl (AAA) is about INR 250.

How much is an old pearl necklace worth?

A traditional strand of white pearls can range from $100 (Freshwater pearl necklace) to $10,000 (Akoya pearl necklace). A strand of large, flawless South Sea pearls could even be valued as high as $100,000+ .

How to Grade and Value Pearls: The 5 S's

What is the rarest pearl color?

Naturally colored blue pearls are the rarest pearl colors in the world (with one or two exceptions, which we will get to below). The color has existed in pearls for decades, but only recently have naturally colored blue pearls gained popularity in the modern pearl jewelry markets.

Do real pearls turn yellow?

Yellow pearls typically indicate that pearls are real since artificial pearls don't normally change color. While natural white pearls can yellow with age, there are such things as naturally yellow pearls. These naturally yellow stones are yellow not because of their age but because of the way they have been cultivated.

How do you tell if a pearl is natural or cultured?

The Tooth Test: Simply rub the pearl against your tooth, softly. If the pearl is natural or cultured, you will feel the surface as gritty. If the pearl is a faux gem, then the surface will feel smooth.

Are my pearls real?

Pearls strung along a strand will have holes drilled for the silk string to pass through. A real pearl will have well‐defined edges (like a hollow cylinder). Imitation or simulated pearls often have rough or rounded edges. Also look for chipped paint or coating around the hole.

How do you tell if pearls are real with your teeth?

Simply take the pearl, and gently rub it along the surface of your tooth. If the pearls are real, you'll feel a grittiness similar to sandpaper. In other words, there will be a great deal of friction. If the pearls are fake, on the other hand, it will feel smooth as with plastic or glass.

What is the difference between a real pearl and a cultured pearl?

Natural pearls grow without any human intervention whereas cultured pearls form when a farmer inserts a mollusk into the oyster shell. For natural pearls, the mollusk is an organism in the water. For cultured pearls, the mollusk is usually a tiny bead. Natural pearls look more “organic” than cultured pearls.

Are cultured pearls worth any money?

Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are much less in price, ranging from just US$50 to over US$165,000. Despite their huge price difference, both cultured and natural pearls are real pearls. They are grown from pearl-bearing oysters in either saltwater or freshwater.

How much are cultured pearls worth today?

Cultured pearls are significantly more affordable, ranging anywhere from $50 to $175,000 in price. Interestingly, both natural and cultured pearls are real pearls, and are grown from pearl-bearing oysters in either freshwater or saltwater in a nearly identical process.

What are vintage pearls worth?

A classic strand of white pearls can range from $100 (mostly the Freshwater pearls variety) to over $10,000 (Akoya and South Sea pearls).

Do real pearls flake?

Unfortunately, because pearls are delicately formed layers of calcium, they can flake if they're damaged. To prevent your precious pearls from peeling, keep them away from harsh chemicals or cosmetics and don't allow the pearls to rub against each other.

How do you tell if a pearl is freshwater or saltwater?

There are a few differences between saltwater and freshwater pearls that affect their appearance. Freshwater pearls have a thicker nacre than saltwater pearls, and therefore may have more depth of shimmer to them. However, this thicker nacre also makes them less lustrous or shiny than saltwater pearls.

What is the highest grade of pearls?

The AAA-A System

This grading system ranks pearls from AAA to A, with AAA being the highest. A: Lower luster and defects on more than 25 percent of the surface.

Which Colour pearl is best?

The most classic and widely preferred pearl color is white. The white pearl is considered a symbol of purity, and is often associated with wedding and graduation celebrations.

Are real pearls heavy or light?

Real pearls are normally heavier than the fake ones. Toss them gently up and down in your hand and feel the weight difference. You can use this method to test those made from coated glass or plastic beads. The only exception with this weight test is in the case of solid glass beads.

Are real pearls always knotted?

Real pearls will be individually knotted. This means there is a tiny knot between every pearl. The knots prevent each pearl from rubbing against another and protect against loss if your strand breaks. However, high-end fake pearl strands are often knotted between each “pearl”.

Do real pearls burn?

Real Pearls Will Not Burn In Fire

A pearl will not burn or scorch. It also won't give off much of a smell. However, if the imitation pearl is made from glass, wax or plastic, you'll see a scorch mark and it will smell like burning plastic.

What do saltwater pearls look like?

Regarding color, saltwater pearls are generally white and cream colored, although black and gold are two popular varieties, like this classic Golden South Sea ring. Freshwater pearls can be found in a range of colors, including white, cream, pink and lilac.

What are fake pearls called?

Fake pearls are also called “faux”, “costume” or “imitation”. They can be made of glass, plastic, or fish-scale imitations. For example, "majorica pearls" are a form of fake pearls. There is nothing in them that rightly allow them to be called pearls.